Liam Lawson was disqualified from the Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying session for Formula 1 after the FIA identified a technical irregularity in the Racing Bulls car. The New Zealander had secured eighth place, but the result was wiped and he will now have to start from the back of the grid.
The infraction was identified by the technical delegate shortly after the session. According to the stewards’ report, the competitor’s car did not meet the minimum power requirement of the MGU-K immediately after crossing the finish line on its fastest lap in Q2, at 15:47:36.
The analysis indicated that Liam’s maximum power demand and the ERS-K’s direct-current electrical power were reduced at rates exceeding those permitted by the regulations. The infraction violated Articles C5.12.6 and C5.12.7 of the technical regulations.
After being summoned by the stewards, Lawson received confirmation of the disqualification of the qualifying results.
With the session’s exclusion, the New Zealander will need authorization from the stewards to participate in Sunday’s race. The permission is typically granted based on the times recorded in the free practice sessions, so his presence in the race is not seriously at risk.
The stewards’ report stated: “The stewards heard the representatives of the car #30 team (Liam Lawson), the driver, the sporting director of the category and members of the FIA’s technical team, including the FIA’s technical delegate.
“The evidence presented, accepted by all parties present, showed that, after the control line at the end of his fastest lap in Q2, the driver did not ease off the throttle immediately. As a result, the rate of reduction of the MGU-K’s power delivery — necessary to achieve the ‘step down’ stipulated by the regulations — was not reached.
“The team argued that this did not provide any performance advantage; however, it is clear that non-compliance with the technical regulations is not justified by the absence of a performance gain. In addition, the regulations require the car to be in compliance with the rules for the entire duration of an event.”
