Liam Lawson plays down Yuki Tsunoda F1 Italian GP clash

Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson addressed his clash with Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda during the 2025 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix.

On lap 30, the pair made contact three times while battling it out at Turn 4. The New Zealander locked up as he went for the overtake, colliding with the Red Bull driver as they both cut the corner. Lawson emerged ahead but gave the position back to Tsunoda almost immediately.

“The race was frustrating, we tried to start on softs and gamble a little bit, and it didn’t really work, so sometimes it’s like that,” Lawson explained after the race.

“I think the car has been fast this weekend, but it’s a shame to walk away with no points, but obviously positive to go forward into the next few races with a fast car.”

He added: “Yeah, it was just nothing really to it, honestly, he passed me in Turn 1, I tried to pass him back in Turn 4 and I had no room on the right-hand side, so we touched, went through the chicane and then I gave the place back.”

Tsunoda didn’t seem to see the clash in quite the same way. 

“I got distracted by Lawson, who made [contact with me] and that was quite big. I picked up damage and that was big enough to slow me down quite a lot, so very frustrating and very unnecessary for me,” Tsunoda said when asked about the incident.

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

Photo by: Joe Portlock / LAT Images via Getty Images

“I haven’t heard the specific details, but it’s not even like a few points, it’s really, really big,” Tsunoda said.

“I was gaining one second per lap, and he started last and he was not even fighting for points. I don’t know. If you’re fighting for points, there’s room that I can understand because even with a sister team… we’re enemies and especially this position where I’m sitting now is probably my most high competition out of any world.

“But at the same time, there’s a line, you can’t cross it and I mean, what’s the point? I was fighting for points and he wasn’t. I don’t know what to say.”

Tsunoda is under pressure at Red Bull to prove his worth for a 2026 contract after only scoring nine points with the team since replacing Lawson ahead of the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix.

Photos from Italian GP – Race