After eleven races in Formula 1, Liam Lawson has been promoted and will be joining Red Bull as a driver in 2025. Despite the 22-year-old driver’s relatively short tenure in the premier class, Lawson has already faced considerable criticism for his driving style. The newly minted Red Bull driver explains why he raced so aggressively against his colleagues, including veteran Fernando Alonso.
Liam Lawson has only competed in eleven Grand Prix in Formula 1, but in this short time, he has already faced criticism for his driving skills. Fernando Alonso even referred to the new Red Bull driver’s behavior during the United States Grand Prix as ‘idiotic’, and Sergio Pérez felt that the New Zealander had the ‘wrong attitude for Formula 1’ during their duel in Mexico City.
Lawson now explains why he raced so hard against the two veterans. “I had five or six races and that was my chance to prove that I was worthy of an F1 seat,” the driver tells New Zealand’s Stuff. “These guys have been racing for a long time, especially Fernando. I made the most of every lap I was allowed to drive. It wasn’t my intention to upset him, but I raced against him the same way I race against everyone else.”
Pressure from Red Bull?
The New Zealander admits that the pressure from Red Bull may have unconsciously played a role in his first eleven races. “Perhaps knowing what was at stake might have triggered some of my less stellar moments,” Lawson candidly admits. “But of course, I’m always learning and I learn from these experiences.”
Lawson will stand on the grid for the first time as Max Verstappen’s teammate during the Australian Grand Prix in March. The driver does not immediately expect to be fighting for victories. “But of course, I do expect to perform well and do the job that the team expects of me. I’m certainly not here to lose,” concludes the New Zealander.
