Alonso and Lawson mend their strained relationship.
"That's unbelievable! I really thought you were quicker."
Fernando Alonso and Liam Lawson seem to have resolved their strained relationship. Before the race in Austria, their interactions were characterized by various on-track altercations and tensions, with F1 veteran Alonso referring to the rookie as an "idiot" for his aggressive driving, while 23-year-old Lawson accused the Spaniard of attempting to "screw me" in retaliation. However, at the Red Bull Ring last weekend, the two competed closely in the points standings and later had a friendly conversation in the media area about their race.
DAZN listened in on their private discussion, during which Alonso clarified to his New Zealand rival that he was just managing to keep up with the Racing Bulls due to the energy management system and DRS. "Really?" Lawson responded with a smile. "I thought you were faster."
Alonso, 43, explained, "From turn 4 to turn 9 – during qualifying laps. I was using the power button to keep up with you, and from turn 9 to 4 it was a relief. If I had attempted to overtake you at turn 1, you would have gotten ahead of me in two laps," he added.
Lawson replied, "That’s insane; I honestly thought you were quicker."
"No, no, no," Alonso replied. "There was a point when I went wide and missed the detection point while you had already pulled ahead."
"Thanks for not passing me!" Lawson, who finished P6 just ahead of Alonso, joked.
Alonso later told the media, "Today felt like when you're cycling in a group and you're at the back; you can't overtake anyone and you're stuck there for 100km. I experienced that today with Lawson because I didn't have the pace to move to the front," added the Aston Martin driver.
Regarding their previously tense relationship, Lawson maintains that he has always respected the two-time champion, despite Alonso's initial criticism of his aggressive style. "Yes, my style is aggressive," said the Racing Bulls driver to Marca. "But since I was young, I’ve always looked up to Lewis (Hamilton) and also Fernando. I hold them in high regard."
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