Liam Lawson accused of ‘stealing points from Red Bull’ with.....

Liam Lawson accused of ‘stealing points from Red Bull’ with…..read more

Liam Lawson, the 21-year-old New Zealand driver, has faced criticism from former Formula 1 driver Juan PabloMontoya, who accused him of “stealing points from Red Bull” with his aggressive driving style during his audition for a seat with the Red Bull Racing family in 2025. Lawson, who is currently driving for AlphaTauri (Red Bull’s sister team), has been thrown into the spotlight after Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from the team following the Singapore Grand Prix. With the VCARB seat at AlphaTauri available for the 2025 season, Lawson’s performance over the next few races is crucial for his chances of securing a full-time seat with Red Bull or its junior team.

Lawson’s Formula 1 career took a major step forward when he replaced Ricciardo as the race driver for AlphaTauri at the Singapore Grand Prix. He had been serving as Red Bull’s reserve driver, and with Ricciardo’s injury, Lawson stepped up to fill the void. His results so far have been impressive, managing to secure points finishes in two out of his first three races with AlphaTauri. However, Lawson’s performances have not been without controversy, especially following his incident with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez during the Mexican Grand Prix.

In that race, Lawson and Perez were engaged in a heated battle, which led to a collision between the two drivers. Lawson, visibly frustrated by the contact, was seen showing Perez the middle finger. This outburst sparked criticism, especially from Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, who expressed disappointment in the Kiwi driver’s behavior. Lawson, recognizing the mistake, issued a public apology, later seeking out Red Bull team principal Christian Horner to apologize in person behind closed doors.

With three races left in the season, Lawson is still very much in the running for a seat with AlphaTauri or potentially even a move to Red Bull Racing if Perez’s struggles continue into 2025. However, Lawson’s chances have been complicated by his aggressive approach to racing, which has drawn mixed reactions from both the media and fellow drivers.

One of the most vocal critics of Lawson’s behavior is Juan Pablo Montoya, the former F1 driver who is known for his own aggressive and fearless driving style. Montoya, who raced for teams like Williams, McLaren, and others during his F1 career, expressed concern over Lawson’s conduct during the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint and main race, particularly regarding his battle with Perez.

In an interview with W Radio Colombia, Montoya questioned what Lawson was trying to achieve by being overly aggressive with Perez, especially given that the Mexican driver was giving him plenty of space to race. Montoya suggested that Lawson’s desire to prove himself and show that he was capable of outperforming Perez might be clouding his judgment. Instead of simply focusing on finishing the race and earning points for Red Bull, Montoya believes Lawson was more concerned with showing up Perez, even at the risk of compromising both drivers’ results.

“Checo [Perez] did a great job in the sprint race in Brazil. And in the main race, when he was able to overtake Liam, honestly, I don’t know what Liam is playing at,” Montoya said. He acknowledged that Lawson likely wants to prove that he is better than Perez, but he questioned whether Lawson’s approach was wise. Montoya emphasized that Lawson’s aggressive driving style in Brazil seemed unnecessary and was ultimately detrimental to Red Bull’s Constructors’ Championship standings.

According to Montoya, while Perez was “very clean” and didn’t make things difficult for Lawson, the Kiwi driver’s tough racing tactics only served to “steal points” from Red Bull in the battle for the Constructors’ title. Montoya’s criticism highlights a potential flaw in Lawson’s approach—his desire to prove his worth as a future F1 driver could be clouding his ability to prioritize the team’s overall success.

Lawson’s current situation is undoubtedly challenging. He has a limited window to prove himself and secure a long-term seat, either at AlphaTauri or even with the senior Red Bull Racing team. The criticism from Montoya underscores the delicate balance that drivers must maintain between showcasing their talent and adhering to team priorities. As Lawson continues his audition, the pressure to perform will only increase, especially with the stakes so high for his F1 future. With his recent aggressive tactics, however, he may need to reconsider his approach if he hopes to secure a seat for the 2025 season without further alienating the team.

As the season draws to a close, Lawson has just three races left to impress the Red Bull hierarchy, and he will need to demonstrate not only speed but also maturity in his racing. The outcome of these final races could determine whether Lawson continues his F1 career with AlphaTauri or moves up to a Red Bull seat in 2025. Whether his aggressive nature will help or hinder his prospects remains to be seen.