The technical breach discovered after qualifying meant the New Zealander would now start Sunday's race from last place.The incident added to a difficult weekend for the 24-year-old, whose future in Formula One beyond the current season remains uncertain. Lawson had also apologised to Verstappen before qualifying, acknowledging that the collision was not what he had intended."I went to see Max this morning to apologise.

Obviously, it was never my intention to make contact," Lawson told reporters before his disqualification. "Obviously, for both of us, it's not good, so yeah, I'll learn from it going forward."Verstappen had been critical of his former Red Bull teammate after their collision during Friday's practice session, questioning Lawson's judgement and suggesting that the incident was particularly unwise given the New Zealander's uncertain future in the sport. Verstappen was also handed a one-place grid penalty for his part in the collision, dropping from fourth to fifth on the starting grid.Lawson maintained that he had not intended to make contact with the Dutchman and said he had apologised to make sure the incident did not happen again."Ultimately only Max knows how he feels.

Like I said, it was never my intention to have contact. So apologies for that," he said.With his future beyond the current season still up in the air, Lawson said he was focused on making the most of his remaining opportunities in Formula One."Formula One is a tough sport, so I'm trying to do my best.

I'm trying to score in every race that I can," he added.HAMILTON TAKES POLE IN MEXICOAway from Lawson's troubles, Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position for Ferrari at the Mexico City Grand Prix, setting a lap of one minute 16.514 seconds to secure the 105th pole of his career.The seven-time world champion edged Mercedes' George Russell by just 0.009 seconds, while Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc qualified third. Verstappen's penalty promoted Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli to fourth on the grid, with the Red Bull driver dropping to fifth.McLaren's Lando Norris qualified sixth, while his teammate Oscar Piastri suffered a setback after being eliminated in the second qualifying session and finishing 13th.Lawson's disqualification meant Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad moved up to eighth on the grid, with Alpine's Pierre Gasly ninth and Audi's Nico Hulkenberg 10th.Hamilton's pole was his first for Ferrari in a regular Grand Prix qualifying session since joining the team last year, and his first at a Grand Prix since the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix with Mercedes.The Mexico City race also carried significant implications for the championship, with Antonelli in a position to become Italy's first Formula One world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953.- Ends