Liam Lawson labelled ‘idiot’ by former world champ after incident

Two-time F1 champ Fernando Alonso has delivered a scathing takedown of New Zealand driver Liam Lawson after one incident.

Two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso has labelled young Kiwi driver Liam Lawson an “idiot” following an incident between the pair in the Austin GP sprint race.

During the race with the pair competing for 16th place, Lawson, racing for the first time this year after replacing Australian Daniel Ricciardo mid-season, performed a switch-back move to overtake Alonso, squeezing the Spaniard in the process.

Alonso was then heard on team radio stating: “Man, the AlphaTauri is such an idiot.”

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The pair were seen engaged in a heated discussion following the sprint race, with Alonso later telling DAZN that there was “too much action, maybe, from Lawson.”

Alonso added the 22-year-old from Hastings has “six races to prove things. I don’t think it’s the best way, but it’s his career at stake and not mine.”

Despite Lawson assuming driving duties from Ricciardo at Team RB, formerly known as AlphaTauri, for the remainder of the season he remains without a seat for 2025, although reports suggest the six-race driver could launch himself into Sergio Perez’s Red Bull seat from next season.

Fernando Alonso wasn’t impressed with Liam Lawson’s driving during the Austin Grand Prix sprint race.

Alonso later provided further clarity around what Lawson had done to frustrate him, drawing comparisons between the New Zealanders actions and an incident two years ago.

“I think on the straight we nearly crashed like I did with Lance two years ago at 300 something (kph), and then the way he squeezed out of the corners to the track limits itself, in lap one out of 11, I don’t want to make a big thing,” he said.

Speaking post-race, Lawson revealed the Spaniard said “he would screw me.”

“I guess he kept his word, I dunno,” he added.

Alonso was not happy with the rookie. Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images/AFP

Alonso, who has started more races (396) than any driver in F1 history, reportedly overtook Lawson in pit lane ahead of qualifying, but insisted he wasn’t trying to “screw” the young driver over.

“No, not really, but you know, everyone on track is behaving as he wants, and for me today it was unnecessary,” he said.

Lawson stressed he wasn’t sure why Alonso was upset with his actions, stating: “We were racing for P16 and I don’t know why he was so upset.”

“Hopefully he can get over it and we’ll move forward.”

Red Bull driver Max Vertsappen won the sprint race in Texas, marking his first win since the sprint race in Australia.

The victory extended the Dutchman’s lead in the drivers championship to 54 points ahead of Lando Norris, who bounced back from a third-place sprint finish to qualify for the main race first.

Originally published as Liam Lawson labelled ‘idiot’ by former world champ after incident