Liam Lawson ‘laughed’ at Fernando Alonso for one thing he said after Austrian Grand Prix battle

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Liam Lawson and Fernando Alonso have quite a history when it comes to on-track battles in Formula 1.

That’s despite the former still being a rookie in the sport, after clashes in Texas last year and Miami this year irked his experienced rival.

At the Austrian Grand Prix, significant progress was made for both drivers, particularly Lawson, who nearly doubled his entire career tally of points in one race.

The Kiwi fought a strong battle with Alonso, but held onto sixth, as the Spaniard also secured his best result of the season and lifted himself up to 13th in the drivers’ championship.

Alonso angrily confronted Lawson in parc ferme at Austin last year, after he felt that he hadn’t raced his elder statesman fairly in the sprint.

Unfortunately, Alonso’s ‘payback’ on Lawson was pointless after he tried to interrupt his preparation in qualifying. The two would go on to clash again in Miami this year, which saw the younger driver lose a valuable points finish as a result.

READ MORE: Liam Lawson will love Red Bull’s new ‘plan’ for ‘outstanding’ driver in line to take his Racing Bulls seat

Liam Lawson ‘laughed’ at Fernando Alonso for giving him help at the Austrian Grand Prix

Lawson could lose his seat before the end of the season was the indication after a difficult Canadian Grand Prix just a few weeks ago, with Arvid Lindblad waiting in the wings for an opportunity.

However, a good race on Red Bull’s home soil will have impressed the team, and done his chances of staying on the Formula 1 grid beyond 2025 good.

Alonso was already looking past the Austrian Grand Prix after Aston Martin promised upgrades for the upcoming British Grand Prix – their home race.

But a seventh place without those additions will be very encouraging. Almost as encouraging as the interaction between Lawson and Alonso in the media pen after the race in Spielberg.

MARCA reports that the 23-year-old ‘laughed’ at Alonso when he mentioned how staying in his DRS helped him to a better result.

The pair went on to have a good conversation about their respective races, showing signs that the relationship between the two may have improved.

READ MORE: George Russell reveals what he finds so ‘inspiring’ about racing against Fernando Alonso this season

Why Liam Lawson is finding life at Racing Bulls easier than Red Bull

Red Bull are about to make a surprise Lawson decision for 2026 and retain him instead of Yuki Tsunoda for the future.

Given that Tsunoda is a Honda-backed driver, that’s no surprise now that their ties with the Milton Keynes-based outfit are about to end.

It may leave the Japanese driver off the grid, but he still has plenty of opportunity to prove himself for the rest of the season.

Since swapping places with Lawson, Tsunoda has fared equally badly as his rival alongside Max Verstappen. The working window of the car is small.

That’s why a return to Racing Bulls has been kind to Lawson, who has been able to extract more speed and performance from their car, which suits his driving style a lot more.