Gasly labels Lawson collision in Miami as 'totally avoidable' after race-ending crash

Pierre Gasly's Miami Grand Prix ended violently on Lap 5 after a collision with Liam Lawson's Racing Bulls, which he deemed a 'totally avoidable' incident. Lawson's car suffered a sudden gearbox failure entering the final corner, causing him to slam into the Alpine and launch it into a dramatic spin. Both drivers were unhurt, but the crash eliminated two cars from points contention, leaving their teams to rue a costly double DNF.

Why it matters:

This incident underscores the fine margins in Formula 1's tight midfield battle, where a single mechanical failure can have cascading consequences. For Alpine, which Gasly believes is the fifth-fastest team, the loss of a potential points finish is a significant setback in its quest to consolidate that position. The crash also highlights the inherent danger when cars lose drive unpredictably in a high-speed pack.

The details:

• The collision occurred when Lawson's VCARB 03 experienced a critical gearbox issue, dropping into neutral as he braked for Turn 17. This left him with no engine braking and an inability to slow the car.
• Lawson, who was running 10th, made wheel-to-wheel contact with Gasly, tipping the Alpine into a spin and a brief, scary moment where it was flipped into the air.
• Driver Reactions: Lawson immediately apologized, explaining the unprecedented mechanical failure. Gasly accepted the apology but remained frustrated, stating the team had the race pace to score 'solid points.'
• Race Context: Gasly had made a strong start, gaining positions before being forced to avoid Max Verstappen's earlier spin. The incident with Lawson then trapped him in the midfield just as he was poised to progress.
• Team Results: The crash compounded a difficult weekend for Racing Bulls, with Lawson lamenting a general lack of pace. His teammate finished 14th, while Alpine's Franco Colapinto salvaged eighth place for the team.

What's next:

Both teams head to Canada with work to do. Alpine will focus on reviewing the package to maintain its position as the fifth-fastest team, while Racing Bulls must investigate the gearbox failure that ruined Lawson's promising start. For Gasly, the challenge is to convert the team's evident pace into a clean, points-scoring weekend after the disappointment of Miami.