Lawson Downplays Clash, Tsunoda Fumes Over Costly Italian GP Incident

The Italian Grand Prix saw a controversial clash between Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson and Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda on Lap 30 at Turn 4. The incident sparked a "family feud" narrative between the two Red Bull-affiliated teams, drawing vastly different reactions from the drivers.

Why it matters: This collision highlights intense pressure on both drivers. Tsunoda is fighting for his 2026 Red Bull seat, while Lawson seeks to prove his worth. The incident complicates Red Bull's crucial future driver decisions.

The incident:

• Lawson, on a bold soft tyre strategy, attempted an ambitious move on Tsunoda at Turn 4.
• He locked his brakes, colliding with Tsunoda's car. Both cars ran through the chicane.
• Lawson briefly took the position but immediately handed it back.

Lawson's perspective: Lawson described his race as frustrating due to an unsuccessful soft tyre gamble. He largely played down the contact.

• "It was just nothing really to it, honestly," he explained. "I had no room on the right, so we touched."
• He noted it was "a shame to walk away with no points," despite the car's pace.

Tsunoda's frustration: Tsunoda, visibly angry, did not share Lawson's casual view. He claimed the collision caused significant car damage, ruining his points chances.

• "I picked up damage... big enough to slow me down quite a lot, very frustrating and very unnecessary," Tsunoda stated.
• He emphasized the difference in stakes: "I was fighting for points and he wasn't... there's a line, you can't cross it."

What's next: The Monza flashpoint intensifies Red Bull's looming driver dilemmas. Both drivers' futures are under scrutiny, making every incident critical in their bid to secure top-tier seats.