Tsunoda Unimpressed with 'Usual' Lawson After US Grand Prix Incident

Yuki Tsunoda, fighting for his Red Bull future, expressed frustration with rival Liam Lawson's aggressive tactics during Sprint Qualifying (SQ1) at the US Grand Prix in Austin. Tsunoda, who finished 18th after Red Bull admitted to a timing error, accused Lawson of 'usual' behavior following a defensive block that cost him a crucial final flying lap.

Why it matters:

Red Bull is set to make a critical driver decision after the Mexican Grand Prix, with Tsunoda, Lawson, and Isack Hadjar all vying for a 2026 seat. Incidents like this add pressure and scrutiny, highlighting the intense competition among the Red Bull junior drivers and potentially impacting their F1 careers.

The Details:

• SQ1 Frustration: During Sprint Qualifying, Tsunoda was at the back of the queue, desperate to cross the start/finish line in time for a final flying lap. His race engineer warned him it would be 'f***ing tight.'
• Lawson's Block: As Tsunoda attempted to overtake Lawson at Turn Two to gain track position, Lawson forcefully shut the door, blocking Tsunoda. This prevented Tsunoda from starting his final lap.
• Tsunoda's Reaction: When asked about the incident, Tsunoda told F1TV, 'It’s more like his usual. Nothing I expect more than that to be honest from him.'
• Team Error: While Lawson's actions were a factor, Red Bull acknowledged their own mistake, admitting they released Tsunoda too late from the pits, which ultimately put him in the difficult position. Tsunoda described the team's error as 'pretty shocking' and 'not in my control.'
• Past Incidents: This isn't the first clash between the two drivers this season; Lawson was blamed for a collision with Tsunoda at the Italian Grand Prix.

The Big Picture:

Tsunoda is currently under immense pressure to secure his F1 future. He's reportedly facing replacement by Isack Hadjar in the Red Bull seat next season, despite Hadjar not being in the Red Bull senior team. Hadjar has had a strong rookie campaign with 39 points and a podium, while Tsunoda has scored 20 points, with only 17 in the RB21. Helmut Marko has indicated that a decision on the 2026 driver lineup will be made after the Mexican Grand Prix, giving both Tsunoda and Lawson limited time to prove their worth. Should Tsunoda lose his Red Bull spot, he might contend for a Racing Bulls seat against Lawson or explore a reserve role with Aston Martin, a Honda-powered team next year.

What's next:

With the driver market heating up and Red Bull's decision looming, the competition between Tsunoda and Lawson will likely intensify. Both drivers have a couple of Grand Prix weekends remaining to showcase their capabilities and make a compelling case for a 2026 F1 seat.