Liam Lawson blames Formula 1's energy deployment rules for dangerous high-speed closing rates at Baku circuit.

Liam Lawson has criticized Formula 1's regulations after a near-miss with Lewis Hamilton during practice in Baku, arguing that the rules create dangerous speed differentials between cars. The Racing Bulls driver encountered Hamilton in the blind, flat-out turns 18 and 19, where closing speeds reached 60 to 80 km/h difference.

The problem occurs because drivers on flying laps deploy full battery energy from turn 16 through the high-speed section, while those on preparation laps do not use maximum deployment. This creates massive speed variations that are difficult for drivers to judge safely through the corners.

Hamilton received a reprimand from stewards for the incident, having failed to follow traffic management instructions requiring cars on out laps to stay on the extreme left between turns 16 and 18. The stewards noted the severity of impeding in such high-speed corners despite acknowledging the difficulty of managing energy deployment.

Race director Rui Marques issued special guidelines instructing drivers to avoid impeding after turn 16, but Lawson predicted similar situations will continue unless fundamental changes are made before turn 16. Formula 1 had previously altered power unit rules earlier this year to reduce crash risks from high closing speeds.