Chaos in Miami: Liam Lawson’s Race Ends After Early Collision
The Miami Grand Prix proved to be a weekend of high tension and heartbreak for New Zealand’s Liam Lawson. After a promising start to the event, the Racing Bulls driver saw his hopes for a strong race finish evaporate following a dramatic first-lap collision that forced an early retirement from the event.
Lap 1 Collision and Forced Retirement
Starting 15th on the grid, Lawson was caught in the typical opening-lap frenzy of the Miami International Autodrome. Shortly after the start, Lawson became embroiled in a clash at the first corner, colliding with Alpine driver Jack Doohan. The impact sent Lawson spinning off the track and relegated him to the rear of the field.
While Lawson initially struggled to recover from the incident, he managed to persevere for a significant portion of the race. However, the damage sustained in the early encounter eventually took its toll. Lawson was forced to retire after completing 37 of the 57 laps, ending a weekend that had already been fraught with challenges.
A Weekend of Penalties and Frustration
The main race retirement was the culmination of a difficult weekend for the Racing Bulls outfit. Lawson had shown competitive pace during the Sprint race, crossing the line in what appeared to be a seventh-place finish. However, that result was stripped away after the stewards issued a five-second time penalty following a collision with Fernando Alonso at turn 12.
The penalty not only removed Lawson from the points-paying positions but as well added a penalty point to his racing license. Despite the stewards’ ruling, Lawson maintained that he had followed the racing guidelines during the attempted overtake on the Aston Martin driver.
The Alpine Perspective: Gasly and Doohan
The collision that ended Lawson’s race also dealt a blow to Alpine. Jack Doohan suffered a race-ending collision on Lap 1, while his teammate, Pierre Gasly, endured a struggle of his own, eventually finishing 13th. Following the event, Gasly noted that the team definitely need some answers
before heading to the next round at Imola.
- Race Result: Retired (Lap 37/57) after a Lap 1 collision with Jack Doohan.
- Sprint Result: Lost a 7th-place finish due to a 5-second penalty for contact with Fernando Alonso.
- Grid Position: Started the main race in 15th.
- Disciplinary Action: Received a penalty point on his license following the Sprint incident.
Looking Ahead
For Lawson, the Miami Grand Prix serves as a stark reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in Formula 1. While his raw pace remains evident, the weekend highlighted the thin margin between a points-scoring finish and a total retirement. The focus now shifts to the upcoming race at Imola, where Lawson and Racing Bulls will look to bounce back from a chaotic weekend in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Liam Lawson retire from the Miami GP?
Lawson retired on Lap 37 following damage sustained during a first-corner collision with Alpine’s Jack Doohan at the start of the race.
What happened to Lawson in the Miami Sprint race?
Lawson finished 7th on track but was stripped of the points finish after receiving a five-second time penalty for a collision with Fernando Alonso.
Who won the 2026 Miami Grand Prix Sprint?
Lando Norris of McLaren took a controlled victory in the 19-lap sprint race, leading from start to finish.