Lawson Dismisses Tsunoda's Blocking Claims in Austin Qualifying
Summary
Liam Lawson has dismissed claims from Yuki Tsunoda that he deliberately blocked him during US Grand Prix qualifying in Austin. Tsunoda accused Lawson of purposefully slowing, which he believes cost him a Q3 spot. Lawson, expressing surprise, denied the allegations, attributing his own qualifying frustration to strong winds rather than a teammate dispute. Both drivers will start Sunday's race outside the top 10, with Tsunoda planning to address the issue directly with Lawson.
A minor spat erupted between Red Bull junior drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda during US Grand Prix qualifying, with Tsunoda accusing Lawson of deliberate blocking. Lawson vehemently denied the claims, expressing surprise at the accusation and stating he didn't recall being in front of Tsunoda. Both drivers failed to reach Q3, with Lawson starting 12th and Tsunoda 13th for Sunday's race.
Why it matters:
- Intra-team incidents, even between junior drivers, highlight the intense pressure in F1 qualifying and can offer a glimpse into future team dynamics.
- While seemingly minor, such disputes can sometimes escalate or affect team morale and strategy, especially when both drivers are vying for future F1 seats.
The Details:
- The Incident: During Q2 at Circuit of the Americas, Yuki Tsunoda claimed Liam Lawson "disturbed me on purpose" and was "slowing down like hell in corners" in sector two.
- Lawson's Response: Lawson, who finished ninth in the Austin Sprint race, expressed bewilderment, stating, "Honestly I have absolutely no idea what he has to complain about. I don’t really remember being in front of him in qualifying today."
- Tsunoda's Perspective: Tsunoda, who finished seventh in the Sprint, maintained Lawson slowed at Turn 11, "kind of waiting for me, middle of the corner," and that this cost him a Q3 spot.
- Focus on Performance: Lawson's primary frustration was not the alleged blocking but the inability to extract the full potential from his VCARB 02, which he believed had strong pace despite a "really big gust of wind at Turn 1" upsetting his car.
What's next:
- Tsunoda indicated he plans to discuss the incident with Lawson, suggesting a direct conversation to resolve the misunderstanding.
- Both drivers will start Sunday's Grand Prix from the mid-pack, offering opportunities to make up ground and potentially demonstrate their racing maturity beyond qualifying frustrations.
- The incident, though minor, underscores the competitive nature within the Red Bull driver pool and the high stakes involved in every session.
Original Article :https://f1i.com/news/551193-lawson-dismisses-tsunodas-claims-of-deliberate-block...