Liam Lawson at the US Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Tsunoda's criticism catches Lawson off guard, but he's 'not bothered'

10:21, 19 Oct

Updated: 10:57, 19 Oct

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byKada Sarkozi

Liam Lawson was unaware of what had made Yuki Tsunoda angry during Q2 on Saturday.

"He's obviously angry. He can be, but it doesn’t bother me."

- Liam Lawson

After his early elimination during the second session of qualifying, the Japanese driver was not happy with Lawson over the team radio.

Tsunoda suggested that Lawson 'disturbed him on purpose' by 'slowing down like hell in the corners.'

He then added: "I think without that, I would have been in Q3. So far, I just can't have a normal qualifying; it's really frustrating, but it is what it is.”

Lawson not bothered by Tsunoda’s comments

Lawson was surprised to hear Tsunoda's comments over the team radio.

He said: "Honestly I have absolutely no idea what he has to complain about. I don't really remember being in front of him in qualifying today.

"He's obviously angry. He can be angry but it doesn’t bother me."

Lawson at COTA - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

After just missing out on points, finishing ninth in the Sprint, Lawson qualified 12th for the Grand Prix.

Looking ahead, he added: "We're not far away [from points], but obviously we have to overtake.

"It's been a season that’s [in terms of] overtaking is very, very tough. All of our good results have come from very strong qualifying, which is obviously what we would have hoped for, but we'll try and make some work [on Sunday].

"I think we have a good race car. It's just you need a decent pace advantage which nobody really has at the moment. It's great for the sport to have close racing like it this. Frustrating for us because we don't overtake cars but let's see tomorrow."

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