Carlos Sainz Demands Liam Lawson Penalty in Mexican Grand Prix F1 Radio Footage
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Carlos Sainz calls for Liam Lawson penalty during the Mexican Grand Prix after a tense moment over team radio. Tensions rise between the two drivers amidst race drama.
Carlos Sainz Demands Liam Lawson Penalty in Untelevised Mexico F1 Team Radio Footage
Untelevised Radio Footage Reveals Sainz’s Frustration with Lawson
Unseen footage from the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix has uncovered the moment race winner Carlos Sainz demanded a penalty for Liam Lawson over F1 team radio. The tense exchange occurred as Sainz, leading the race, struggled to lap Lawson, who refused to give way despite multiple signals.
Sainz Dominates to Secure Career Victory No. 4
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz claimed his fourth Formula 1 career victory during the Mexican GP, crossing the line 4.7 seconds ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris. It was a dominant performance, with Sainz securing pole position and holding off Norris for the win. This victory marked a milestone for Sainz, as it was his second win of the season, following his triumph in Australia earlier in the 2024 F1 campaign.
The Tension with Liam Lawson
Despite the dominant race, Sainz’s victory was not without its challenges. An untelevised clip from onboard footage revealed Sainz's frustration as he tried to lap Red Bull VCARB driver Liam Lawson. The incident occurred on the approach to Turn 4, where Sainz was told by his race engineer Riccardo Adami: "Solid blues now," referring to the blue flags and trackside panels indicating that Lawson should move aside.
However, Lawson failed to yield, continuing at full speed through a series of corners. As the two cars entered the tricky esses section, Sainz’s frustration boiled over. The Ferrari driver was heard shouting over the radio: “Lawson!” and then “LAW-SON!” as the gap between them remained tight. Sainz continued, demanding, “That should be a penalty. A penalty.”
Race engineer Riccardo Adami calmly replied, “Yeah, stay cool. We are reporting, you are right,” as Sainz reiterated, “He did a whole two sectors in front.” Lawson eventually moved aside, but the tension was palpable, with Sainz visibly upset over the situation.
Lawson’s Controversial Weekend
Liam Lawson's actions during the Mexican Grand Prix weren’t limited to his run-in with Sainz. The 22-year-old was also involved in a fiery battle with fellow driver Sergio Perez, with Lawson seen gesturing with his middle finger at Perez during their intense on-track rivalry. Lawson's conduct had already drawn criticism from two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso following the United States Grand Prix, where both Perez and Alonso referred to Lawson as an “idiot” for his aggressive driving.
Sergio Perez’s Warning to Lawson
After the race, Sergio Perez spoke to the media about Lawson's attitude, warning that the young driver needs to show more humility if he wants to secure a long-term place in F1. Perez, who had an ongoing battle with Lawson during the race, said, “I don’t have any relationship with him. I think the way he has come to Formula 1, I don’t think he has the right attitude for it. He needs to be a bit more humble.”
Perez continued, commenting on Lawson's dismissal of advice from Alonso, “When a two-time World Champion [Alonso] was saying things last weekend, he completely ignored him.” The Mexican driver expressed concern over Lawson’s growing list of incidents, adding, “In his two first grands prix, he has had too many incidents. And I think there will be a point where it can cost him too much, like it did this weekend.”
Perez concluded with a warning for Lawson, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and growth: “He has to have the right attitude to say: ‘Look, probably I’m overdoing it a little bit. I will step back and start again.’” He cautioned Lawson that F1 can be a “brutal world” and that failure to learn from mistakes could jeopardize his future in the sport.
Looking Ahead: Lawson's Future in F1
Liam Lawson’s performance at the Mexican GP and his ongoing struggles with his on-track demeanor have cast a shadow over his future prospects in Formula 1. With Lawson widely regarded as a potential candidate to replace Perez at Red Bull in 2025, his recent behavior has raised questions about his maturity and readiness for a top-tier team.
As the season progresses, Lawson will need to address these concerns and work on both his driving skills and his approach to handling the pressure of Formula 1. His future in the sport will depend not only on his on-track performance but also on his ability to adapt to the demands of the sport’s most competitive teams.
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