Liam Lawson, the young Formula 1 driver who stepped into Daniel Ricciardo’s shoes at Red Bull for the final six rounds of the 2024 season, isn’t afraid to make a statement on the track. His aggressive driving style, however, has led to a series of heated confrontations with some of the sport’s veterans, including two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.
Lawson’s clashes with Alonso, which began with a battle in the Austin Sprint and continued into qualifying, have been particularly heated. The New Zealander even claimed that Alonso had threatened to ‘screw’ him. The tension continued at the Mexican Grand Prix, where Lawson collided with Perez on lap 19 and then later made an obscene gesture while overtaking him.
Despite the controversies, Lawson maintains a clear focus: “I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to win.” He’s not shying away from the competition, even acknowledging that he’s fighting for his future in F1. “In this situation, we’re fighting very hard for P6 in the Constructors’, and I’m fighting obviously for my future in Formula 1 as well, so that’s what I’m focused on,” he said.
While Lawson apologized for the gesture he made towards Perez, he doesn’t believe the collision was solely his fault. The two drivers have since spoken, but Lawson insists it was simply a ‘racing incident’ and a product of the intense battle for position.
Lawson’s bold approach has generated a lot of buzz, but it’s not without its risks. Red Bull Racing and RB, while officially separate teams, share the same ownership and have a clear pipeline for drivers progressing from the junior team. This makes collisions between drivers, especially those involving Red Bull cars, a sensitive issue.
Despite the close relationship between the teams, Lawson acknowledges the importance of maintaining respect for his fellow drivers. He explains that while his intention was not to crash into Perez, the heat of the moment led to a difficult decision. Looking back, Lawson believes there could have been a better way to handle the situation, suggesting he could have avoided the collision by cutting the chicane. However, in the heat of the race, he made the decision he thought was best at that moment.
Lawson’s future in Formula 1 remains uncertain, but his aggressive driving style and willingness to go for the win have certainly grabbed attention. The final six races of the 2024 season will be crucial for Lawson to prove himself and earn a permanent spot on the grid. With his fearless attitude and unwavering ambition, Lawson is a driver to watch in the coming years.
