Lawson: ‘It’s ridiculous to play the English national anthem when McLaren wins’
Liam Lawson reacts to the playing of the British anthem as McLaren win
Liam Lawson has come out strongly against the playing of God Save The King when McLaren wins Formula 1 races. The VCARB driver believes rivals should play the New Zealand national anthem to honour their founder Bruce McLaren.
After F1 races, the winning driver’s national anthem is followed by the winning team’s national anthem, and Lawson, as a proud New Zealander, thinks it’s “nonsense” for McLaren to play the British anthem.
McLaren celebrates its victories with the anthem “God Save The King” because it races under a British licence. However, Lawson noted that despite Red Bull being based in England, the team moved its licence to Austria in 2007 and plays the Austrian anthem.
“It doesn’t make any sense. It’s a New Zealand team, it’s still called McLaren. I have no idea why it’s like that,” Lawson told the Red Flags podcast.
“Red Bull plays the Austrian national anthem and the team is based in England. McLaren is based in England but they are a New Zealand team.”
“To be honest, this is complete nonsense,” he said.
Lawson has made a flying start to F1 at Red Bull’s sister team and is seen as the front-runner for Red Bull should Sergio Perez leave at the end of the season. Lawson has scored four points in his first four races and has not been shy about challenging his rivals on track. Perez and Fernando Alonso have been frustrated by the young driver’s attitude in the opening weeks.
Christian Horner spoke to Lawson after he gave Perez the middle finger at the Mexican Grand Prix. Lawson apologised to Perez but said he did not come to F1 to make friends. Lawson said he was fighting for his future and wants to contribute to VCARB’s target of sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
Lawson told Sky Sports: “Of course I don’t want to make enemies with anyone, I don’t want to cause trouble. But I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to win and that’s what I’m focused on.”
“And in this case, we are fighting very hard for the sixth place in the constructors’ standings and obviously I am also fighting for my future in Formula 1, so that’s what I am focused on.”
