Liam Lawson’s return to the Formulation 1 grid is without doubt one of the main storylines because the season winds down. The younger driver stepped in for an injured Daniel Ricciardo a 12 months in the past at AlphaTauri, however returned to the grid a number of weeks in the past when Ricciardo was sidelined by Visa Money App RB F1 Crew.
Nevertheless, Lawson will not be making buddies now that he’s again on the grid, and in his phrases, that’s not his job.
Lawson’s on-track battle with Sergio Pérez in final week’s Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix was an enormous speaking level within the hours after the race, with the veteran Crimson Bull driver blasting Lawson for being “uncontrolled” and questioning whether or not he has the “proper angle” for F1. This comes within the wake of an on-track scrap with Fernando Alonso throughout the USA Grand Prix two weeks in the past.
In fact, the truth that Pérez and Lawson could also be preventing for a seat on the grid subsequent 12 months, relying on what rumors you select to imagine, could also be a contributing issue to the motion on, and off, the monitor.
Talking with the official F1 channel Thursday forward of the São Paulo Grand Prix Lawson conceded that there have been some issues he might have achieved otherwise in Mexico Metropolis however in the end, he isn’t racing to make buddies.
He’s racing to win.
“I imply, in each race, there’s so many belongings you go over, so many issues you are able to do higher,” stated Lawson on Thursday. “Total, sure, for certain, there’s clearly stuff in there that would have been higher, however I’ll take these issues and study from it going into this weekend.
“Clearly my objective is to not exit and make enemies of anyone. I’m not attempting to trigger any points or something like that,” continued Lawson. On the similar time, I’m not right here to make buddies, I’m right here to win – that’s what I’m centered on doing. On this state of affairs, we’re preventing very arduous for P6 within the constructors’ [standings], and I’m preventing for my future in F1 as nicely, in order that’s what I’m centered on.”
Lawson did supply an apology to Pérez for a gesture made within the veteran’s course through the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, because the VCARB driver was passing Pérez on the monitor.
“Within the second issues are very heated and clearly I apologise for what I did final week,” he added. “It’s not one thing I ought to have achieved, and it’s one thing I received’t be doing once more.”
The VCARB driver was additionally requested about what was stated within the Crimson Bull hospitality area after the race, as cameras caught Lawson strolling into an workplace with Crimson Bull Crew Principal Christian Horner for a closed-door assembly. In keeping with the motive force, he outlined that he might have achieved some issues otherwise, however reiterated his perception relating to why he drives within the first place.
“They know why I’m right here and it’s one thing I’ve stated for a few years. All of us from F1 are solely right here for one cause. Similtaneously apologising, it’s additionally what I informed them.”
Lawson and the remainder of the grid return to the monitor Friday for the only observe session earlier than lap occasions rely later within the day throughout qualifying for the F1 Dash Race.
