Liam Lawson Avoids Penalty After Miami Gearbox Failure
Liam Lawson avoided a penalty after a gearbox failure under braking sent his Racing Bulls car into Pierre Gasly at the Miami Grand Prix on 3 May 2026. Both drivers retired, and the stewards accepted that the failure left Lawson unable to avoid the collision.
Lawson's gearbox failed at the last corner
Lawson said he lost the gearbox at the last corner, went into neutral and had no gears before the contact. “It sucks for both of us, obviously,” he said after the collision. He added: “I just went into the last corner and when I braked, I lost the gearbox and I went into neutral. So I basically had no gears and I couldn’t stop.”
He also said: “It’s not something I’ve had before.” Racing Bulls said fifth gear broke in his car, and Lawson added: “Obviously it’s quite a big issue for us and it’s what meant we had to retire the car. But it’s a shame because it’s obviously taken out Pierre as well.”
Stewards reviewed data and radio
The stewards reviewed in-car data, telemetry and radio communications before deciding not to penalise him. They found a gearbox failure just before the incident and said the radio communications were consistent with that problem. They also said Lawson would not have been able to anticipate the failure.
That left the ruling on a mechanical failure rather than a driving offence, and it closed the door on any penalty for car 30. The collision still ended Gasly's race and Lawson's, which meant the Miami incident went from a wheel-to-wheel clash to a failed part and a retired pair of cars.
Gasly climbed out and walked away
Gasly said Lawson visited him to apologise after the crash. “It was definitely a scary feeling being flipped over in a Formula 1 car so I am glad it wasn’t too serious and I was able to climb out and walk away,” he said.
He also said: “My race was over with the incident with Liam, which, in my mind is totally avoidable and should not happen.” But he added: “He has visited me to say sorry but I am just disappointed for the team as we had the pace and we deserved points.”
