F1 | Sparks fly over Red Bull seat: Yuki Tsunoda accuses and Liam Lawson fires back – Austin GP. Tensions rise between Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson during Austin GP qualifying.

The Austin qualifying session saw emotions run high between Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, with a Red Bull seat hanging in the balance. Max Verstappen secured pole position, while his teammate was eliminated in Q2, sparking controversy over a peculiar incident. Tsunoda accused Lawson of deliberately slowing down during his flying lap, and the New Zealander responded firmly.

Tsunoda’s accusation

According to Yuki Tsunoda, Lawson intentionally slowed down to disrupt his lap in Turn 11. The Japanese driver claimed that Liam approached the corner unusually slowly, which prompted a tense team radio exchange. Tsunoda’s frustration was evident, highlighting the pressure of competing for limited Red Bull opportunities.

Lawson’s response

Liam Lawson addressed Tsunoda’s complaint during the Austin qualifying session. He told the media, “Honestly, he has no idea what he’s complaining about. I don’t remember ever being in front of him today. Sure, he’s angry. He can be, but I don’t care.”

The tension between the two is amplified by the fact that a Red Bull seat is at stake. If Lindblad is confirmed at Racing Bulls, only one seat will remain within the Red Bull family. Rumors have suggested that Hadjar could be promoted alongside Max Verstappen, leaving the Italian team seat open for a rookie British driver. The final races of the season will therefore be crucial for convincing Helmut Marko and the rest of the Austrian team.

Tsunoda’s frustration after Saturday in Texas

Yuki Tsunoda had a strong Sprint race, climbing to seventh place after starting from the back. He capitalized on the first-lap chaos and managed to reach the points zone, as only the top eight in the Sprint score points.

However, the joy was short-lived, as he finished only thirteenth in qualifying, just behind Lawson. According to Yuki Tsunoda, before the Turn 11 incident, he had the pace to reach Q3. This rivalry will be one to watch in tomorrow’s race, particularly during the opening laps, where an intense battle between the two drivers could unfold.