Lawson Dismisses Tsunoda's Latest Outburst After US GP Qualifying

Liam Lawson has brushed off a second wave of criticism from teammate Yuki Tsunoda following qualifying for the United States Grand Prix. Tsunoda, who had previously voiced displeasure during sprint qualifying, accused Lawson of deliberately blocking him during Saturday's grand prix qualifying session.

Why it matters:

The dynamic between AlphaTauri teammates is heating up, with Tsunoda expressing repeated frustration towards Lawson. This ongoing tension could indicate a competitive battle for future seats, especially as both drivers aim to impress Red Bull management and secure their places in Formula 1.

The Details:

• Repeated Accusations: Yuki Tsunoda first criticized Liam Lawson on Friday after being pushed wide during sprint qualifying. He followed this with another accusation on Saturday, claiming Lawson intentionally blocked him during grand prix qualifying.
• Lawson's Confusion: When asked about Tsunoda's remarks, Lawson expressed bewilderment, stating, “Honestly, I have absolutely no idea what he has to complain about.” He added that he didn't recall being in front of Tsunoda during qualifying.
• Qualifying Positions: Both drivers exited Q2, with Lawson qualifying 12th, ahead of Tsunoda. They are set to line up side-by-side for Sunday's race.
• Wind's Impact: Lawson attributed his early exit from qualifying to a significant gust of wind at Turn 1 on his final lap, which "really upset the car" and came at "a really bad time." He expressed frustration at not extracting the car's full pace despite its strong performance throughout the weekend.

What's next:

Despite the qualifying setback and teammate tension, Lawson remains optimistic about the race. He believes the car has strong race pace and is confident in his ability to move forward and secure more points for AlphaTauri (Racing Bulls). The focus for both drivers will be to perform well on Sunday and contribute to the team's constructors' championship standing, potentially easing some of the personal friction.