Lawson Unmoved by Rivals - Focused on F1 Victory Path

Focused solely on success, Liam Lawson aims to win, prioritizing performance over friendships in the high-stakes F1 racing world.

Liam Lawson isn’t too bothered by recent tensions with Sergio Pérez after their on-track clash in Mexico. The RB F1 driver, who also had a run-in with Fernando Alonso in Austin, isn’t dwelling on it.

“I’m focused on this weekend; it’s a new track, and it’s a Sprint, so it’ll be tricky. There’s a new surface, but honestly, we had a day or two to focus on what I learned, and now, we’re concentrating on this weekend,” Lawson said.

“In any race, there are plenty of things you can do better, so yes, it could have been improved overall. But I’ll try to do better this weekend based on what I learned,” the driver added, making it clear he isn’t targeting any specific drivers.

“My goal isn’t to make enemies or cause trouble. But I’m also not here to make friends; I’m here to win, and the situation is that we’re fighting for sixth in the constructors’, and I’m fighting for my future too. That’s where my focus is.”

Asked if Fernando Alonso might be critiquing the younger generation or if Pérez might be trying to downplay his Red Bull seat rival, Lawson sees no controversy: “I have no idea! I don’t think there’s anything behind it.”

“In the heat of the moment, there’s tension, and I apologized for what I did last week. It’s not something I should have done or will do again. But I have no idea about their mindset; I’m focused on mine.”

“I want to win races, but instead of looking here or there at where I might be in a year, I’m concentrating on my weekend, on what I’m doing now because that will determine my future.”

Despite these minor altercations with his senior counterparts, Lawson doesn’t want to change his approach to racing but won’t repeat mistakes made in Mexico: “My attitude toward racing and the way I approach F1 won’t change; I’ll always be like this.”

The New Zealander wants to learn from his mistakes but wasn’t able to speak at length with Pérez after the Mexico race: “But at the same time, if I make mistakes, I’ll always learn from them, and clearly in Mexico, I made one.”

“We spoke briefly after the race, but at the same time, we left the track very early, immediately after in any case. I think it was an on-track battle, and I obviously apologize for what I did after the incident.”

“But regarding the fight we had on track, I believe it was seen as a racing incident, something that was just a momentary battle.”

“I might learn from the mistakes I made. But at the same time, I’ll take advice from everyone. As I said, my goal isn’t to make enemies—it’s obviously not the point—but at the same time, I’m not here to make friends; I’m here to win.”