Liam Lawson has been cleared of any penalty following his collision with Pierre Gasly at the 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, after FIA stewards determined the incident was caused by a mechanical failure.
The collision occurred on Lap 6 at Turn 17, where the Racing Bulls driver attempted an inside move while Gasly, driving for Alpine, held the outside line and had established track position under driving standards guidelines.
The contact resulted in the Alpine A526 flipping into the barriers, forcing both drivers into retirement. The severity of the crash triggered an immediate investigation by the stewards regarding potential driver responsibility.
However, telemetry data, onboard footage, and team radio confirmed that Lawson suffered a gearbox failure just before the braking phase. This failure compromised his ability to decelerate and control the car, leaving him unable to avoid the collision.
“The data clearly shows a gearbox failure prior to the incident. We accept that this was a mechanical issue and that the driver could not avoid the collision,” the FIA stewards stated.
“We also considered whether the failure could have been anticipated and concluded that it was not possible for the driver to do so.”
The ruling highlights how technical factors can be decisive in determining responsibility under Formula 1 regulations. Despite Gasly having established track position, the mechanical failure rendered the incident unavoidable.
For Racing Bulls, the incident underscores the importance of drivetrain reliability, particularly gearbox performance under heavy braking conditions. Meanwhile, Alpine suffers a missed opportunity for points, increasing pressure ahead of the next round in Canada.
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