Liam Lawson’s aggressive racing style in Formula 1 was on full display during the recent Spanish Grand Prix, highlighting both his boldness and ongoing challenges. The New Zealand driver’s approach continues to generate excitement and debate as he seeks to convert his fearless tactics into consistent results in a fiercely competitive midfield.
Lawson’s Early Races Marked by Firm, Controversial Moves
Since debuting in Formula 1, Liam Lawson has developed a reputation for an assertive, elbows-out driving approach. Over the course of his first 20 races, this style has sometimes sparked tensions with fellow drivers. In 2024, during his second six-race run, Lawson drew criticism from Fernando Alonso during the Austin Grand Prix weekend and clashed with then Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez the following week. These incidents underscored both his competitive intensity and the risks that accompany it.
Returning to Racing Bulls after a brief period with Red Bull’s main team, Lawson’s aggressive approach remained apparent. In Bahrain, he earned two time penalties for collisions with Lance Stroll and Nico Hulkenberg. Then at the Miami Grand Prix sprint race, a collision with Alonso resulted in another time penalty that jeopardized a points finish and raised his total penalty points to six. He also faced a penalty in Jeddah for leaving the track while overtaking Jack Doohan.
Team Management’s Perspective on Lawson’s Aggression
Laurent Mekies, Racing Bulls’ team principal, acknowledged the balancing act involved in managing Lawson’s driving style. After the Miami sprint race, Mekies indicated to Motorsport.com that Lawson’s aggression needed slight moderation, although the team had accepted it as part of his current recovery and rebuilding phase following difficult weekends at Red Bull.
“We are coming from a sequence where the elbows out [attitude] had more disadvantages than advantages in the last few races,”
Mekies said, describing the context of Lawson’s recent performances.
“When he came back to us, we were actually quite happy to see him going through the field flexing his muscles. Fine, get the penalty, but he was trying to get back on his feet and get in the fighting spirit again. So, it was good that we came back with that approach to turn the page.”
Mekies added that while Lawson’s bold moves sometimes cost the team, the fighting spirit was key during this phase.
“I think we are now paying a little bit of a price for it, like in Miami, a brilliant sprint race from P14 to P7. The penalty for the contact with Alonso was hurting. We were quite happy to have him with that spirit, and now we probably need tune it down a bit.”
Spanish Grand Prix Reflects Ongoing Aggression on Track
Despite Mekies’ comments on dialing down Lawson’s aggressiveness, the Spanish Grand Prix showed no signs of a significant change in his style. At the race start, Lawson was involved in contact with Alonso and later clipped Haas driver Oliver Bearman on lap 31; notably, neither incident drew a penalty. He also engaged in an intense battle with Williams’ Alexander Albon at Turn 1.
During that duel, Lawson initially forced Albon off track by lunging on the inside line before overtaking around the outside cleanly. Albon then understeered into Lawson, causing damage to his own car. This illustrated the razor’s edge on which Lawson operates, frequently pushing competitors hard but sometimes nearing the boundaries of fair racing.
Lawson’s Staunch Commitment to His Racing Philosophy
Despite some strained relationships with fellow drivers early in his F1 career, Lawson has made it clear that his confrontational style will not be softened. He credits this approach with advancing his career and gaining attention from Red Bull, the dominant force behind Racing Bulls.
“My attitude towards racing and how I approach races in Formula 1 won’t change, that’s how I’ll always be,”
Lawson stated to Motorsport.com.
“But at the same time there’s things in there if I make mistakes I’ll always learn from them.”
At 23 years old, Lawson is navigating a demanding environment where taking calculated risks is often necessary to secure strong results, especially as he adapts to Racing Bulls and competes against his talented teammate, Isack Hadjar.
Challenges with Qualifying and Midfield Battles
Lawson has faced difficulties in qualifying, including technical problems in Bahrain and Miami, which left him starting further down the grid than he would prefer. This has forced him to execute aggressive overtakes to climb through the tightly packed midfield on race day. His willingness to attempt late lunges, sometimes from precarious positions, aligns with racing regulations that reward being ahead at the apex of corners.
The ongoing midfield fight includes key teams such as Williams, Haas, and Alpine, as well as improved competitors like Aston Martin and Sauber, amplifying the challenge for Lawson and Racing Bulls to consistently score points.
Positive Signs Amid Turbulence: Clean Battles and Team Support
Lawson’s wheel-to-wheel battle with Albon demonstrated his potential to race fiercely yet fairly, earning praise from Racing Bulls’ CEO Peter Bayer after the Barcelona event.
“At the end of the day, I like racing drivers,”
Bayer remarked to Motorsport.com.
“If there’s a gap, they should go for it. But both guys kept it, I think, very clean and fair, so I’m happy with it.”
Lawson’s progress is reflected in improving race weekends alongside Hadjar, who has quickly adapted despite unfamiliarity with some tracks. Consistency and cleaner weekends will be imperative for Racing Bulls to remain competitive in the midfield battle.
Outlook for Racing Bulls in a Tight Midfield
With several closely matched teams vying for points, the midfield fight is expected to be intense through the remainder of the season. Sauber’s recent points haul and Haas’s competitive position underscore the challenge.
“It’s going to be very tough until the very end,”
Bayer noted.
“You saw Sauber scoring 10 points. We’re two points ahead of Haas now. It will be a tough fight, but we’re back towards the top of that midfield. Now we have lots of tracks coming which Isack doesn’t know. But for the time being, that hasn’t seemed to worry him too much! It will be a good year.”
Liam Lawson’s aggressive racing style in Formula 1 continues to be a double-edged sword—offering thrilling moments and showcasing his fighting spirit, while also presenting challenges that demand refinement. His ability to balance his bold approach with precision could define his trajectory in this highly competitive sport.
