Liam Lawson will start the Mexico City Grand Prix from the back of the grid after his qualifying times were invalidated for technical infringements. The Racing Bulls driver had originally secured ninth place in Saturday’s qualifying session, positioning him ahead of his teammate Arvid Lindblad. The session itself was marked by a standout performance from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who secured a record-extending 105th career pole position—his first with Ferrari.

Lawson, 24, saw his promising qualifying effort wiped out following an inspection that revealed irregularities with his power unit’s performance. Officials determined that the output from his power unit did not comply with regulations concerning the battery energy management at the end of his fastest lap in Q2. Specifically, the rules mandate a controlled and gradual reduction in electrical power, whereas Lawson’s unit experienced an abrupt decline as he crossed the finish line, due to not immediately lifting off the power.

Race stewards explained that this breach led to the deletion of Lawson’s lap times and his subsequent drop to the back of the starting grid for Sunday’s race. This setback adds to Lawson’s recent challenges; on Friday during practice, he was involved in a collision with four-time world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull. Both drivers received one-place grid penalties for the incident, compounding Lawson’s difficulties as he fights to secure his seat for the 2027 season.

The Mexico City Grand Prix is set to commence on Sunday, with Lawson facing an uphill battle after the combination of the technical disqualification and prior penalties. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s pole position marks a notable milestone not only for his career but also for Ferrari, as they continue their campaign in the current Formula One championship.