Why it matters:
Liam Lawson has dismissed Carlos Sainz's critical comments regarding their collision at the Dutch Grand Prix, emphasizing the stewards' ruling that penalized Sainz and highlighting the differing views on racing etiquette.
The incident:
- The clash occurred at Turn 1 shortly after a Safety Car restart on Lap 27, when Carlos Sainz attempted to pass Lawson around the outside.
- Both drivers made contact, suffering punctures and forcing them to pit, which effectively ruined their races.
- Stewards found Sainz responsible, issuing a 10-second penalty after ruling his front axle was not ahead of Lawson’s at the apex. The FIA verdict explicitly stated Sainz was “wholly or predominantly to blame for the collision.”
Sainz's perspective:
- Sainz expressed his frustration over the radio at the time, calling Lawson “so stupid” and adding, “Oh my God! This guy! It’s always the same guy.”
- After the race, he insisted Lawson's approach was problematic: “He always seems to prefer to have a bit of contact and risk a DNF or a puncture like we did, than to actually accept having two cars side-by-side.”
Lawson's rebuttal:
- Lawson quickly dismissed Sainz's criticism: “He was overtaking me today and I also think he got a penalty today, so he can make all the comments in the world he likes.”
- He expressed a preference for direct communication: “I wish he’d just come and talk to me about it rather than telling everybody else.”
- Lawson stressed that if the fault were his, he would have received a penalty, and described Sainz's overtaking attempt as “risky” given the cold tires and slippery conditions.
The bigger picture:
- The collision ended Lawson’s run of points finishes and marked the first time in 2025 he had started inside the top 10 but failed to score.
- In contrast, his Racing Bulls teammate, Isack Hadjar, secured his first F1 podium with a third-place finish, showcasing the car’s potential.
- Lawson, despite his own setback, praised Hadjar's