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Max Verstappen fired a thinly-veiled threat at Liam Lawson after a brainless collision in Mexico. Verstappen came across the slower Racing Bulls of Lawson when both were on a timed lap in practice on Friday. Despite it being an uncompetitive session, neither were willing to back out through the tight stadium section at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and they collided, sending broken carbon fibre tumbling across the track.
Lawson, 24, fumed over the radio: "He just drove into me, man. He literally just drove into me. Every weekend he plays this game." But, later speaking to reporters, Verstappen was quick to remind everyone he is top dog in the Red Bull F1 world.
He said: "I don't think it was unlucky, maybe not-very-smart behaviour, what he was trying to do there. At the end of the day, it's not going to change my weekend but, if I were him, I would be acting a little bit smarter. Also, when you're fighting for your seat, it's not very smart behaviour."
Lawson has had a strong season but has yet to secure a place on next year's grid. Racing Bulls have a three-into-two situation with impressive British rookie Arvid Lindblad and Formula 2 title contender Nikola Tsolov their other options.
Bulgarian Tsolov, 19, took over Lawson's car for first practice on Friday and was immediately competitive, showing Red Bull bosses he could be ready for an F1 promotion. The Verstappens have huge sway over decisions at Red Bull and so Lawson would do well not to make an enemy out of the Dutchman.
Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas is fighting for his Formula One future with Cadillac assessing their options. The Finn signed a multi-year deal to join the sport's newest team but the minnows are considering cutting ties after their first season.
Bottas offers great experienced as a 10-time race-winner, from five seasons as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate at Mercedes. But his race pace in particular has been lacking and while team-mate Sergio Perez has landed a new deal, Cadillac are considering cutting his short.
Nine-time IndyCar race-winner Colton Herta is the front-runner for the seat despite a disastrous F2 season. But he still does not have a superlicence to race in F1 after Cadillac miscalculated his total – they thought his FP1 appearance on Friday would get him to the 40 he needs, but the FIA says he still only has 39.
Herta, 26, quit IndyCar for this shot and said he is keen to get his chance "as soon as possible". "I want to be in Formula One – that's the goal, that's why I'm over here doing this," the American said, after his stint behind the wheel in Mexico City on Friday.
But there is another strong candidate in the form of Mercedes test and reserve driver Frederik Vesti. The Dane races for Cadillac in the IMSA sportscar championship as part of the team which won the constructors' title this year. He also has a key role in developing the Mercedes car Kimi Antonelli is likely to drive to title glory on Sunday and was impressively third fastest of everyone in his own FP1 cameo on Friday.
Vesti, 24, finished runner-up in F2 back in 2023 but has never had the chance to race in F1. He wants to change that next year and said: "There's no doubt I've got my eyes on that seat and it would be such a privilege to step into it."
Big moments. Packed grandstands. A championship battle that’s heating up.
When the Formula 1 season delivers like this, watching from home just isn’t the same as being there when the lights go out.
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