Liam Lawson revealed his father “wasn’t impressed” following his offensive antics towards Sergio Perez in the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix.
Lawson and Perez are competing for the Red Bull F1 seat alongside Max Verstappen in 2025, and tempers flared in Mexico City.
After contact in a wheel-to-wheel battle, Lawson later flipped Perez the middle finger when passing him for good.
Perez lambasted Lawson post-race in the media pen, claiming the New Zealander, who later apologised for his remarks, didn’t have the right “attitude” for F1.
Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marko and his family also criticised Lawson for the hot-headed action.
“[My parents] weren’t impressed,” said in an interview with TFN.
“[I’m] very fortunate to have someone like my dad who has played a massive role in, obviously, raising me as a man, but also as a driver, growing up and trying to be professional in the sport.
“He’s kept me very grounded, I would say, and that’s been something that he’s done since I was a kid.
“So, you know, he wasn’t impressed with that and I completely understand why.
“And obviously, as I said, it’s not something I should have done, and I’ll learn from.
“My dad told me off, as my dad has done many times over the years.”
Lawson auditioning for 2025 Red Bull seat
Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo at RB to make his F1 return at the United States GP, immediately impressing as he scored points from the back of the field on race day.
His clash with Perez came in an underwhelming weekend at Mexico, but Lawson bounced back in fine style to pick up points again in a wet and calamitous Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos.
Upon his return to F1 action, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner all but admitted that Lawson is being auditioned for a seat alongside Verstappen next year.
That’s if the Milton Keynes-based outfit chooses to part ways with Perez.
Regardless, Lawson needs to impress if he wants a permanent drive at either Red Bull set-up next year.
Speaking less than a week on from his Mexico clash with Perez, Lawson told select media including Motorsport Week ahead of the Sao Paulo GP that ”my target is not to go out and make enemies with anybody, that’s not the goal obviously, but at the same time I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to win.”
Perhaps aggression is what Red Bull is missing alongside Verstappen at Red Bull, but that isn’t something that concerns Lawson.
Lawson was asked if his feisty approach is just what Red Bull needs alongside Verstappen.
“Honestly, I don’t know – I’m not the person deciding that stuff,” he said.
READ MORE – Sergio Perez denies Liam Lawson Mexico clash linked to battle over Red Bull F1 seat
