Liam Lawson says his approach to racing others will not change, after a battle with team-mate Sergio Perez proved bruising in Mexico.

The Kiwi driver found himself at the center of some pointed comments from Perez after their battle at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, with contact between the pair resulting in damage to the Red Bull driver’s car.

Liam Lawson: My attitude won’t change

An added layer of flavor to the battle between Perez and Lawson is that it can be seen as a battle not only for race position but also for the Red Bull cockpit currently occupied by Perez.

With the Mexican driver’s form proving costly to Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, Lawson is the leading candidate to succeed Perez if Red Bull management makes a change for F1 in 2025, or sooner.

After impressing during a five-race swap run last year, Lawson has been given a six-race audition at VCARB by replacing Daniel Ricciardo and, after an impressive weekend in Austin, had a slightly more troubled weekend in Mexico as he battled Perez tooth and nail.

Lawson found himself wrong-footed by Perez going into Turn 4, but held his nose for the right-hander at Turn 5 – resulting in a clash between the pair. Lawson was seen showing his middle finger to Perez shortly afterwards as he passed the Red Bull, for which he apologized afterwards.

But speaking to the media ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Lawson said his aggression will not be contained as he battles on track.

“My approach to racing and the way I approach races in Formula 1 will not change, that is how I will always be,” he said.

“But at the same time there are things in there, if I make mistakes I’m always going to learn from them, and clearly in Mexico I made a mistake, and I’m learning from it.

“We spoke shortly after the race, but at the same time we left the track very early, at least immediately afterwards. I think there was a fight on the track and of course I apologize for what I did after the incident.

“But as far as the fight we had on the track, I guess that was considered a racing incident and something that was a fight in the moment.

“I’ll learn from the mistakes I’ve made. But at the same time I’ll take advice from everyone I can and my goal is not to go out and make enemies with anyone, obviously that’s not the goal, but at the same time I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to win.”

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Red Bull’s Helmut Marko stated in his column for Speedweek ahead of Brazil that Lawson ticks the boxes expected of him.

“The duel with Liam Lawson, both drivers were too fierce,” he said. “Liam even gave his opponent the finger, which he later apologized for, which we accepted.

“(He) came back very strong in the US and finished ninth, and I was also impressed with how he steadily improved in Mexico. The New Zealander would have finished in the top 10 in qualifying if it wasn’t for the lap that Tsunoda messed up. So far Liam Lawson has proven his qualities and confirmed the confidence in him.”

Lawson appears to be the leading candidate for the vacant VCARB seat for F1 2025, which remains unfilled, but there is still the possibility of a chance for a seat with Red Bull. If Perez is released, Lawson would likely come in at Red Bull, with Williams rookie Franco Colapinto understood to be a target for Red Bull – presumably for VCARB.

After waiting to speak to Horner after the Mexico City race, Lawson was asked what he had discussed with the Red Bull team principal and whether there had been any further talks with Marko.

“I don’t think they want me to race differently,” he said.

“But obviously the aim is not to come into contact with another Red Bull car and as I said at the time that was not my intention at the moment and looking back maybe I could have avoided it and it would have clearly been the right thing to do to do right then.”

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