RB rookie Liam Lawson learned the hard way that racing isn't just about what happens on the track – sometimes, it's about keeping emotions in check when the adrenaline is pumping.
Reflecting on his controversial middle-finger gesture to Red Bull's Sergio Perez during their fiery scrap at last month's Mexican Grand Prix, Lawson shared how his parents reacted, particularly his father's stern disapproval.
The incident in question occurred during the pair's heated battle at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, when they collided at Turn 4, a contact that resulted in damage to Perez's car.
While the Mexican initially stayed ahead, Lawson eventually overtook him on the straight, and couldn't resist waving a middle-finger to Perez as he breezed past the Red Bull, a gesture captured by the cameras and broadcast live on F1's world feed.
“It's not something I should have done,” Lawson admitted in an interview with TFN , recognizing that his actions weren't up to the professional standards expected in F1.
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The adrenaline-fueled moment, however, was a classic case of emotions boiling over.
“It's something I'll learn from but at the same time, we are competing at a high level, and when you have that much adrenaline, it's crazy,” the Kiwi added.
“If I think back over the years to things I've thought about or said after a race, especially when I was younger, then you calm down and you realize how crazy that was and how stupid it was.
“It was something I learned from, but obviously, when you are in F1, the spotlight is on you, and maybe I didn't realize how many people can see. “You've got to be careful.”
Liam Lawson with his parents, Jared and Kristy Lawson.
While the incident predictably drew sharp criticism from Red Bull's Helmut Marko, it was the reaction from Lawson's own family that truly hit home.
“They weren't impressed,” the 22-year-old said of his parents' view.
Liam's father, a grounding force throughout his career, was particularly vocal.
“[I'm] very fortunate to have someone like my dad who has played a massive role in, obviously, raising me as a man, but also as a driver, growing up and trying to be professional in the sport.
“He's kept me very grounded, I would say, and that's been something that he's done since I was a kid.
“So, you know, he wasn't impressed with that and I completely understand why. And obviously, as I said, it's not something I should have done, and I'll learn from [it].”
For Lawson, the experience was another chapter in the steep learning curve of Formula 1, where mistakes can be amplified in the public eye.
“My dad told me off, as my dad has done many times over the years,” I concluded.
Despite the fallout, Lawson's ability to own up to his mistake and use it as a learning moment underscores his maturity—a trait he'll need to navigate the intense world of Formula 1.
As for Perez, it remains to be seen if their on-track rivalry will spark again in the future, but one thing's for sure: Lawson's gestures are likely to be limited to the throttle pedal from here on out.
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