Liam Lawson was disqualified from the qualifying session at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix due to a technical infringement involving the MGU-K power deployment on his Racing Bulls car. The decision came after the FIA stewards reviewed data showing a breach of the electrical power rampdown regulations immediately following his fastest lap in Q2.
The specific issue concerned the MGU-K power dropping instantaneously from 350kW to zero, which violated Article C5.12.6 of the technical regulations. This rule requires a gradual reduction in electrical power rather than an abrupt cutoff. Although Lawson did not lift off the throttle right after crossing the timing line, the resulting steep rampdown of the MGU-K deployment was deemed non-compliant.
Despite the infringement, the FIA stewards confirmed that no sporting advantage was gained by Lawson or Racing Bulls. However, the nature of the technical breach meant that disqualification from qualifying was mandatory. Racing Bulls had initially placed both of their cars in Q3, with Lawson qualifying ninth before the penalty was applied.
The disqualification means Lawson will start the race from the back of the grid, which affects Racing Bulls’ race strategy and their ongoing battle with Alpine in the constructors’ championship. Alpine, as a direct rival for fifth place, benefits from Lawson’s penalty since it weakens Racing Bulls’ starting position, although Racing Bulls still hold a 33-point lead over Alpine.
Racing Bulls self-reported the breach to the FIA, but this did not prevent the enforcement of the penalty. The regulation on MGU-K rampdown rate has been a focus of FIA scrutiny throughout the season, with previous enforcement actions targeting similar tactics by other teams such as Mercedes and Red Bull.
This incident highlights the strict technical oversight in Formula 1®, where even minor deviations from power unit regulations can lead to significant consequences. For Lawson and Racing Bulls, the challenge now lies in recovering from the setback during the race itself, while Alpine gains a slight advantage in the constructors’ standings.
The ruling underlines the importance of compliance with the electrical deployment rules, which are designed to maintain fairness and technical consistency across the grid. As the championship progresses, teams will continue to navigate these detailed regulations while seeking competitive performance within the allowed framework.