Liam Lawson has shared his thoughts on a recent confrontation with Fernando Alonso following their intense battle during the Sprint race in Austin. The exchange became particularly heated when Alonso labeled Lawson as “such an idiot” for his defensive driving while contesting for 16th place. Their discussion continued after the race, with Lawson recalling that Alonso had ominously stated he would “screw” him, an intention Lawson feels was realized when Alonso cut in front of him during qualifying.
During the qualifying session, Alonso, who exited the pit lane behind Lawson, swiftly maneuvered around him. Lawson acknowledged this move to his race engineer, indicating that he anticipated Alonso’s actions based on their earlier interaction. Although Lawson was already aware he would start at the back of the grid due to significant grid penalties—amounting to 60 positions for new power unit components—he still managed to advance to Q2 before not setting a time in the second qualifying segment.
The post-race discussion highlighted Alonso’s frustration with Lawson’s defensive tactics. Alonso believed that Lawson’s maneuvers went too far, prompting the two-time World Champion to express his discontent. In defense of his actions, Lawson pointed out that if he had violated any rules, the FIA would have imposed a penalty, underscoring the competitiveness and intensity of racing in Formula 1.
Lawson also noted that Alonso seemed particularly upset, potentially due to his own poor race performance. He expressed hope that Alonso would move on from the incident, showing an understanding of the pressures that come with high-stakes racing. Lawson remarked that while Alonso had a rough day, it was important to focus on the racing rather than lingering conflicts.
When asked about the potential for a rivalry with the seasoned champion, Lawson quickly downplayed that notion. He clarified that their encounter was simply a racing incident and expressed a desire to move forward. This perspective reflects Lawson’s intent to maintain professionalism and focus on his own performance as he continues to navigate his return to the Formula 1 grid.