Liam Lawson has responded to Carlos Sainz following their collision during the Dutch Grand Prix. [IMAGE0CONTEXT:bmw_unknown] The incident occurred at Turn 1 shortly after a Safety Car restart on lap 27, when Sainz attempted to pass Lawson on the outside. The two made contact, resulting in punctures for both drivers, forcing them into the pits and effectively ruining their races. The stewards deemed Sainz responsible, issuing him a 10-second penalty after determining that his front axle was not ahead of Lawson’s at the apex, meaning Lawson had the right to the corner. The FIA’s verdict stated that Sainz was “wholly or predominantly to blame for the collision.”
In the heat of the moment, Sainz expressed his frustration over the radio, calling Lawson “so stupid” and lamenting, “Oh my God! This guy! It’s always the same guy.” After the race, he maintained that the New Zealander’s approach was the issue. “With Liam, it always seems to be very difficult to make that happen,” he commented about racing side-by-side. “He always seems to prefer to have a bit of contact and risk a DNF or a puncture like we did, rather than actually accept having two cars side-by-side.”
Lawson, however, dismissed Sainz’s criticism. “He was overtaking me today, and I also think he got a penalty today, so he can make all the comments in the world he likes,” he stated. “I wish he’d just come and talk to me about it rather than telling everybody else. But you know, if it was my fault, I would have got a penalty. I understand his frustration. We don’t want to be in these situations, and I’ve been on the receiving end as well. It’s just the way the rules are written, and we all know that.”
The Racing Bulls driver described Sainz’s maneuver as “risky,” especially given the cold tires and slippery conditions. “It’s fine to go for the move, but it’s just risky. In the end, we made contact, which was not ideal, but that’s why he got a penalty,” he explained.
This outcome ended Lawson’s streak of points finishes and marked the first time in 2025 that he started inside the top 10 but failed to score. To add to his frustration, teammate Isack Hadjar secured his first F1 podium in third place, while Sainz’s Williams teammate Alex Albon finished strongly in fifth. Despite the setback, Lawson was quick to praise Hadjar. “I’m super happy for the team,” he said. “Isack drove a great race, and to be on the podium is exceptional. The team has been working very hard, and it’s so well deserved. The podium result shows the potential of the car, which is very positive as we head to Monza next weekend.”