Lawson laughs off Tsunoda criticism in F1 US GP qualifying

Liam Lawson He was shocked by the criticism he received from his former teammate Yuki Tsunoda During qualifying for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver accused Lawson of “deliberately harassing me” and “slowing down like hell in the corners” when Tsunoda got close to him in sector two during Q2 at the Circuit of the Americas.

Both drivers were ultimately ruled out of the session, as Tsunoda will start 13th for Sunday’s Grand Prix and Lawson 12th – and the Racing Bulls racer dismissed the criticism he has received.

“Honestly, I don’t know at all what he has to complain about,” said Lawson, who was Tsunoda’s teammate. RB Last season.

“I don’t really remember being in front of him in qualifying today. He’s obviously angry, he may be angry, but it doesn’t matter to me.”

Lawson was more disappointed that he felt he suffered a loss heading into the third quarter, as the 23-year-old Kiwi believes his VCARB 02 had more potential than it had shown.

“Overall it was very, very strong,” said Lawson, who earlier on Saturday finished ninth in the Austin sprint race. “So it’s a shame we got a big gust of wind at Turn 1 and it really messed up the car.

“It’s come at a really bad time. So I think it’s disappointing. If it was the best we had, well, I’d obviously be quite happy, but to have a really fast car this weekend and not get it out is disappointing.”

Tsunoda also felt he could have achieved more in qualifying and doubled down on his criticism of Lawson.

“I noticed he was going very slow into Turn 11, waiting for me in the middle of the corner. That’s not ideal,” said Tsunoda, who finished seventh in the sprint.

“By then I had enough pace to get to Q3 and I lost everything from that – so it was very disappointing.”

Tsunoda said he was not sure Lawson did this intentionally, but revealed he would “mention” it to the Racing Bulls driver.

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– Autosport.com Team