Jolyon Palmer says Liam Lawson now has growing ‘beef’ with one of his Formula 1 rivals

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Liam Lawson is fighting hard to secure his Formula 1 future during what has been a very tough campaign for him in 2025.

In recent weeks, the Kiwi driver has performed well, scoring 18 points in his last six races. It took him a bit of time to find his feet after being demoted by Red Bull after just two races, but he’s above his replacement in the drivers’ championship, and that says a lot.

It seems that Lawson is now fighting with Yuki Tsunoda directly to secure a spot on the grid heading into the 2026 F1 regulations. In the space of 12 months, they have gone from fighting for a seat at the senior team to fighting for a berth at Visa Cash App RB.

F1 fans slammed Lawson for his approach to sprint qualifying at the United States Grand Prix, after it seemed that he might have impeded Tsunoda. Carlos Sainz called Lawson the most dangerous driver on the grid recently, and his punchy mindset seems to have ruffled the feathers of his rivals.

READ MORE: Simon Lazenby has heard ‘whispers’ that Racing Bulls may sign two new drivers and drop Liam Lawson

Liam Lawson has growing ‘beef’ with Yuki Tsunoda after United States Grand Prix clash

Lawson lost his momentum after crashing multiple times at the last race in Singapore, but he still has another race to prove himself. Red Bull had previously stated that Mexico would be their deadline to make a decision, which could be just days away.

Now the two drivers competing for what could be their last seat have clashed for a second time in Texas, after a close battle in Q2. Tsunoda took to his radio to vent some frustration about Lawson’s positioning for his final lap. He felt he had got in his way on purpose.

Jolyon Palmer believes that there is now growing ‘beef’ between both Lawson and Tsunoda, and decision time beckons for Red Bull. It’s a battle that will only grow in intensity between now and the end of the season.

“Tsunoda is obviously very aware that it’s him and Lawson fighting for their future,” Palmer said on F1TV. “They have this little bit of beef now, that’s growing.

“I can’t believe that Lawson is impeding Tsunoda, or trying to do anything clever there. He’s only going to hurt his own chances more by picking up a penalty, if it’s severe at all. And he was quite far ahead there, really, wasn’t he? At turn 11.”

READ MORE: Liam Lawson reveals what he’s been told about Racing Bulls future as F1 exit threat looms

Why Liam Lawson has a stronger case to be retained by Red Bull than Yuki Tsunoda

There is one key factor that may play in Lawson’s favour when Red Bull opt who to carry into the future with them.

Their partnership with Tsunoda’s backer, Honda, is coming to an end at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign.

They’re off to work with rival outfit Aston Martin, which could complicate any deal for Tsunoda. He also potentially has to be willing to return to the Racing Bulls team he competed with for four years.

A deal with Lawson is, in theory, simpler, and it’s important to remember that he also had less time to prove himself in a top seat. He was given just two races.