Liam Lawson’s return to the Method 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 yr in the past at AlphaTauri, however returned to the grid just a few weeks in the past when Ricciardo was sidelined by Visa Money App RB F1 Group.
Nonetheless, Lawson isn’t making associates 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 yr, relying on what rumors you select to imagine, could also be a contributing issue to the motion on, and off, the observe.
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 carried out in a different way in Mexico Metropolis however in the end, he’s not racing to make associates.
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,” mentioned Lawson on Thursday. “Total, sure, for positive, there’s clearly stuff in there that might 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 making an attempt to trigger any points or something like that,” continued Lawson. On the identical time, I’m not right here to make associates, 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 effectively, in order that’s what I’m centered on.”
Lawson did provide an apology to Pérez for a gesture made within the veteran’s course throughout the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, because the VCARB driver was passing Pérez on the observe.
“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 carried out, and it’s one thing I received’t be doing once more.”
The VCARB driver was additionally requested about what was mentioned within the Crimson Bull hospitality house after the race, as cameras caught Lawson strolling into an workplace with Crimson Bull Group Principal Christian Horner for a closed-door assembly. In accordance with the driving force, he outlined that he might have carried out some issues in a different way, 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 mentioned for a few years. All of us from F1 are solely right here for one purpose. Concurrently apologising, it’s additionally what I advised them.”
Lawson and the remainder of the grid return to the observe Friday for the only follow session earlier than lap occasions depend later within the day throughout qualifying for the F1 Dash Race.
