Single-seater motorsports and gymnastics. There couldn’t be two sports that are more different than them. In the single-seater series, drivers are confined to this small space with limited movement room. On the other hand, gymnastics requires flexibility, mobility, and everything in between, and, well, freedom of movement. Even so, there have been intersections between the two sports in the past, but not how you’re thinking. It’s not the drivers who suddenly become gymnasts. Rather, it’s their cars.
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High-speed crashes in motorsport tend to make cars go airborne—spinning, twirling, and pirouetting. This is precisely what happened when Red Bull prodigy Liam Lawson lost control of his car during this weekend’s Japanese Super Formula race. In the first lap of the race at Mobility Resort Motegi, Lawson tried to overtake his Team Mugen teammate Tomoki Nojiri for the lead. Going into Turn 2, he was pushed a little wide onto the curbs and lost control, spinning into the way of other drivers.
A crash was inevitable as he slid back onto the track. Tadasuke Makino and Yuhi Sekiguchi crashed into Lawson’s car, went airborne, collided with each other, and took another car out. Although the New Zealander’s team was able to repair his car, the others didn’t have the same luck. In terms of getting out of the crash safely, all three drivers were okay. But who wasn’t okay? Twitteratis, so much so that they slammed Lawson for wreaking havoc on track.
The crash won’t do Liam Lawson’s chances of driving for Red Bull “any good”
Earlier this season, when AlphaTauri driver Nyck de Vries’ future in F1 came into question, Daniel Ricciardo was one of the first names that came up to replace the Dutchman. Alongside him, Liam Lawson—a part of the Red Bull Driver Program—was in contention, too. Even though Ricciardo ultimately got the seat, Lawson’s hopes of getting a seat in F1 in the future were starting to look up. After this mishap, though, Twitter users aren’t too optimistic about an F1 future.
Oh Liam… Won't do your chances of an F1 drive any good that
— Rrrrango (@Kadswan) August 20, 2023
And people say Lawson deserves an F1 drive
— dystainak (@dystainak) August 20, 2023
Considering how terrifying the crash was, users expressed their fright and bashed Lawson for causing it.
Holy hell https://t.co/yHGN8wEprZ
— Andrew Schwartz (@A_Schwartz67) August 20, 2023
Oh For Goodness Sake! Good news Drivers are Okay. Lawson WTF Man! Patience is Virtue. Christ sake!
— Baron_Kigume (@KigumeR) August 20, 2023
A few others wrote how they think Lawson isn’t any good.
Lawson is so shit 😭😭😭😭
— iDk (@Loafs_Fan44) August 20, 2023
Mark my words… Lawson is a villain.
— George Webster (@G_Webster) August 20, 2023
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While everyone else was blaming Lawson for the incident, one user explained the entire situation, putting into perspective what really happened.
How are any of you idiots saying Lawson is shit, or at fault for that? His teammate squeezes him out (forcing him off track, which is illegal in any series that isn't F1), gets put onto a raised kerb, and the car obviously spins because it has no downforce anymore, like what?!?
— Fuji (@AyyyFuji) August 20, 2023
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Who do you think was at fault? Was it Liam Lawson, Tomoki Nojiri, or was it a plain racing incident? Would this incident have any impact on what Red Bull thinks of Lawson?
Watch This Story: 2 Months After Accusing Red Bull of Typical Routine, Former F1 Champ Exposes RB Taskmaster Amid Nyck de Vries-Daniel Ricciardo Drama