Fernando Alonso, one of Formula 1’s most experienced drivers, found himself in an intense clash with rookie Liam Lawson during the U.S. Grand Prix sprint race in Austin. Alonso, driving for Aston Martin, managed an impressive eighth-place qualifying position, surprising many fans and analysts alike. Despite struggling with an updated AMR24 car that had yet to perform to its full potential, Alonso pushed his limits to secure a spot in the top 10. Reflecting on his progress, he admitted to AS that their goal was initially set below Q3, and that a mix of adjustments and luck led to his strong qualifying run.
The sprint format in Austin, which allowed for only one practice session, made it difficult for Alonso and his team to fine-tune their new aerodynamic updates. The Aston Martin crew faced challenges with the car’s handling on both straights and corners, despite several setup changes. “The car feels slightly improved, but it’s still tough to handle,” Alonso commented, emphasizing the need for ongoing adjustments, particularly with the next race in Mexico in mind. Though pleased with his qualifying, he approached the race cautiously, knowing that strong competition from Haas and Lewis Hamilton could make Sunday’s point-scoring chances difficult.
The tension escalated earlier in the sprint race when Alonso encountered Lawson’s defensive driving. Lawson, aggressively defending his position on a long, high-speed straight, forced Alonso to back off to avoid a potentially dangerous collision. Later, in a tight sequence of turns, Lawson pushed Alonso off the track, which allowed Esteban Ocon to overtake both drivers. This led to visible frustration from Alonso, both over the radio and in a post-race conversation with the New Zealand driver.
Commenting on the incident, Alonso expressed his dissatisfaction with Lawson’s aggressive maneuvers: “In the sprint, he fought too hard. If one of us hadn’t lifted, there would’ve been a crash,” he explained. Alonso emphasized that while everyone races differently, Lawson’s moves felt unnecessary. Reflecting on the risks, he recalled a similar incident with Lance Stroll, noting the dangers of racing at speeds over 300 kilometers per hour. He described the way Lawson forced him wide in the corners as surprising, especially when it pushed him beyond track limits—a move that went unpenalized because Alonso chose to back off.
While Alonso understands that aggressive battles are inevitable in a season with 24 races, he feels that Lawson, as a newcomer, still has a lot to learn about competing at this level.