The drama is already unfolding at Austin, TX, long before the actual Formula One extravaganza at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Former Red Bull Racing teammates Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson have begun the fireworks after the second qualifying session.

Tsunoda, 25, alleged that the Kiwi had impeded him after the driver apparently caught up to him. While both drivers were eventually eliminated from the session, the 25-year-old’s criticism caught Lawson off guard. In response, the Kiwi simply laughed off the Red Bull Racing driver’s accusation and remained zoned in for the American GP.

How Did the Former Red Bull Teammates Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda Clash in Austin?

Since Red Bull switched the pair earlier this season, Lawson and Tsunoda have locked horns in a string of scuffles. Tensions flared during Sprint Qualifying this weekend as the two clashed in the opening corners while attempting a last-minute lap.

While Tsunoda added more ammunition to his remarks later during the post-session presser, the Q2 incident was apparently the flashpoint. After closing in during sector two of Q2 at the 3.4-mile facility, the Japanese driver accused Lawson of intentionally blocking him, claiming that the 23-year-old “disturbed” him on purpose and “slowed down like hell in the corners” on the team radio.

Meanwhile, the Kiwi was bemused to hear Tsunoda’s remark. He responded, “Honestly, I have absolutely no idea what he has to complain about. I don’t really remember being in front of him in qualifying today. He’s obviously angry, he can be angry, but it doesn’t bother me.”

Neither driver advanced to Q3, with Lawson lining up 12th and Tsunoda, one spot behind him at P13, while reigning champion Max Verstappen claimed pole in the other Red Bull car. However, the Japanese speedster wasn’t willing to let the matter go; when the media asked about his post-session remarks, he doubled down.

“With Lawson, it’s just the usual story,” Tsunoda vented, later when the media enquired about the supposed on-track blocking incident. He added, “He’s always doing something on purpose, and it’s b*******, so it’s him. I don’t care about him, to be honest.”

Meanwhile, the Racing Bulls driver appeared more annoyed by what he saw as wasted potential, insisting his VCARB 02 could have done much more to reach Q3.

The tension between the two could be further heightened by whispers of a single Red Bull seat for 2026, with Isack Hadjar reportedly in line for a move and F2 standout Arvid Lindblad potentially jumping to Racing Bulls in Formula 1.