LIAM LAWSON INSISTS HE IS 'NOT HERE TO MAKE FRIENDS' AS PRESS DUB THE KIWI F1'S 'NEWEST BAD BOY' - AFTER ROOKIE WAS BRANDED AN 'IDIOT' BY LEGENDARY DRIVER FERNANDO ALONSO FOR HIS ANTICS ON THE TRACK
- The 22-year-old refused to give up his place to the Spaniard at the US Grand Prix
- He upset Sergio Perez after damaging his car and showing him middle finger
- Lawson is in six-race audition for Red Bull spot, replacing Daniel Ricciardo at RB
Liam Lawson, the latest rebel on the F1 block has expressed no regrets for his recent race antics, claiming he is 'not here to make friends', after rubbing up some of the sport's greats the wrong way.
The driver, from New Zealand, is midway through a six-race audition for a spot on the Red Bull team, replacing Daniel Ricciardo on the roster at RB, which traditionally acts as a breeding ground for the parent team.
With Sergio Perez's form stumbling - the Mexican finding himself down in eighth in the standings - there is a real possibility that Lawson could step up for a place on the team which has won the last two Constructors' Championships.
And the Kiwi is certainly trying to make an impact, first attracting the ire of two-time champion Fernando Alonso by refusing to give up his place to the Spaniard at the US Grand Prix, before infuriating 39-time podium finisher Sergio Perez with a collision in Mexico last weekend.
Lawson has no regrets, however, and has insisted he is racing 'for a reason', Marca reports, after being hauled into the Red Bull hospitality area for a chat with team boss Christian Horner after the contest.
He said: 'They know why I'm here and it's something I've been saying for many years. All of us who are part of F1 are here for one reason only. At the same time I apologise, that's what I told them.
'I am just focused on doing the best race possible every time I get in the car. Honestly, that is all I am trying to do at the moment. Maybe I am being aggressive, but I am here for a reason.
'Obviously, my objective is not to go out and look for enemies . I'm not trying to cause problems or anything like that. At the same time, I'm not here to make friends, I'm here to win, that's what I'm focused on.'
Two weeks ago, Lawson went wheel to wheel with Alonso in the sprint race leg of the US Grand Prix, prompting the Spaniard to brand him an 'idiot'.
The 22-year-old also claimed that the Aston Martin driver threatened to 'screw' him after the incident.
Horner, whose World Champion driver Verstappen is known for his aggression, was impressed with Lawson's performance and said: 'I think if you're getting into a spat and getting your elbows out with Fernando on your first race back in, you’re doing alright.'
The rookie then wound up Perez in Mexico, after damaging his car in a collision before showing him a middle finger as he passed.
Last weekend's Grand Prix was riddled with drama as Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, who are vying for this year's title, engaged in a high-speed battle early in the race.
The Dutchman was hit with a 20-second penalty during the race following two separate incidents with the McLaren driver.
Norris branded Verstappen's tactics 'dangerous' as the pair almost made contact with each other, but both men were able to complete the race, with Norris finishing second and Verstappen down in sixth.
To pile more misery on the Red Bull racer, Verstappen will be given a five-place penalty on Sunday as he requires a new engine.
Read more 2024-11-01T10:56:43Z
