FIA Launches Investigation into Liam Lawson Following….read more
Red Bull junior driver and Racing Bulls representative Liam Lawson has come under scrutiny following an incident during the first free practice (FP1) session at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The New Zealand-born driver, who was stepping in for the Racing Bulls team, finished FP1 in 11th place—closely trailing behind his teammate Yuki Tsunoda in 10th and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in 9th.
Despite a solid performance on track, Lawson was placed under investigation by FIA stewards after reportedly failing to comply with the race director’s instructions during the session. The issue arose when Lawson drove through the painted area separating the pit entry from the main track, which is strictly prohibited under race regulations.
The FIA’s statement noted that Lawson’s actions could constitute a violation of Article 12.2.1 (i) of the International Sporting Code. This article addresses breaches involving failure to obey official instructions, which are essential for ensuring the safety and smooth operation of race events. It was further confirmed that Lawson had allegedly committed the infraction on two separate occasions during the session.
Sky Sports F1 reporter Rachel Brookes provided an update, saying: “Lawson is being investigated after the session for failing to follow the race director’s instructions on two occasions.” At this stage, the FIA stewards have not yet issued a final decision, leaving open the possibility of a warning, fine, or grid penalty depending on the severity of the breach.
While awaiting the outcome of the investigation, Lawson continues preparations for the second practice session (FP2), scheduled for 8 PM local time. This evening session is expected to provide more accurate conditions representative of qualifying and race circumstances, given the cooler temperatures and night-time setting at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
In terms of performance during FP1, the session delivered a few surprises. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly topped the timing charts with the fastest lap of the morning, ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who rounded out the top three. The session suggested a competitive midfield battle and hinted at potential unpredictability in this weekend’s race outcomes.
Lawson’s situation adds a layer of intrigue to an already eventful Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend. Whether or not a penalty will be handed down remains to be seen, but the incident underscores the importance of adhering to strict FIA protocols—even in practice sessions—at one of Formula 1’s most challenging str
eet circuits.
