Liam Lawson blasted Carlos Sainz for talking to the media about the pair’s controversial Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix clash before him.
The Racing Bulls driver was defending the Spaniard’s advances at the beginning of Lap 26, when the race restarted after a Safety Car period.
Sainz attempted to overtake Lawson around the outside of Turn 1 when the pair touched, damaging the Williams’ front wing, and puncturing the Kiwi’s left rear tyre.
The pair were condemned to the root of the field as a consequence, when both men looked to have a good chance of scoring crucial points in the midfield battle of the championship.
Sainz was handed a 10-second penalty for the clash, which he later dubbed a “complete joke”, adding that Lawson was “putting too many points on the line” for what he called an “unnecessary manoeuvre”.
Speaking to media including Motorsport Week after the race, Lawson criticised Sainz for not directly speaking to him about the incident before the media.
“I think he was overtaking me today and I also think he got a penalty today,” he said. “So, you know, he can make all the comments in the world he likes.
“I wish he’d just come and talk to me about it rather than telling everybody else.”
Lawson added that he empathised with Sainz about the supposed harshness of the penalty, but concluded the rules, no matter how they’re perceived, are clear.
“But, you know, if it was my fault I would have got a penalty. And I understand his frustration. It’s, you know, we don’t want to be in these situations.
“And as I said, I’ve been on the receiving end as well. So, you know, it’s just the way the rules are written and we all know that.”
Despite both men finishing outside the points, their teams’ cause in the Constructors’ Championship were aided by their team-mates.
Isack Hadjar’s maiden podium put Racing Bulls on 60 points, to leave them seventh, two points behind Aston Martin, with Alex Albon’s fifth place putting Williams on 80 points in fifth.
READ MORE – Red Bull quizzed on Isack Hadjar’s promotion prospects after maiden F1 podium
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