Liam Lawson isn’t pulling punches in his quest for a Formula 1 future with Red Bull. As rumors swirl about his potential to replace Sergio Perez, the New Zealand driver has made his priorities clear: he’s not here to make friends—he’s here to win.
Lawson’s recent on-track tussle with Red Bull’s own Perez at the Mexico City Grand Prix, followed by an unapologetic hand gesture, raised eyebrows across the paddock. While Lawson later apologized, he stands firm in his no-nonsense approach, even as Perez and other drivers, including Fernando Alonso, questioned his style.
“My target is not to go out and make enemies with anybody,” Lawson stated, “but I’m not here to make friends either. I’m here to win.”
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s influential advisor, echoed this sentiment, criticizing the clash but also acknowledging Lawson’s fierce edge. Lawson admitted he might have handled the Mexico incident differently but emphasized his split-second decisions on the track. “Maybe there are things I could have done differently,” he reflected. “But in the moment, I’m racing.”
Perez’s recent string of lackluster performances has placed him in the hot seat at Red Bull, fueling speculation about Lawson’s chances to step in. Despite the pressure, Lawson remains unfazed, revealing that neither Christian Horner nor Marko want him to alter his bold racing style. “They don’t want me to race differently,” Lawson noted, adding, “That’s how I’ll always be, and if I make mistakes, I’ll learn from them.”
As for whether his aggressive approach is what Red Bull needs beside three-time champion Max Verstappen, Lawson stays humble, “I race the way I race, and that’s how I’ve always been,” he said, leaving Red Bull’s brass to make the final call.
With Perez’s seat looking increasingly uncertain and Lawson’s determined approach paying dividends on the track, it’s clear Red Bull’s team dynamic could be due for a shake-up—and Lawson’s unyielding ambition may be just what the team needs.
