Liam Lawson has recently come under fire from not one, but two former Formula 1 legends, who have branded him as "arrogant" following his abrupt exit from the Red Bull Racing team.

The New Zealand racer was released after just two races, where he struggled to find his rhythm, particularly evident during the events in Australia and China. This swift decision has brought him back to the Racing Bulls team while Yuki Tsunoda seizes the opportunity to race alongside Max Verstappen.

Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 World Champion, was the first to weigh in on Lawson's current standing, blaming his egotism for his dismissal. Now, seven-time Grand Prix champion Juan Pablo Montoya has echoed Villeneuve's sentiments, emphasizing that a driver's confidence must come with tangible results.

“I think right now his reputation is not good,” Montoya said during an interview with Vision4Sport. “You can see all the memes on social media; he's very cocky. A little arrogance is OK. But the problem is that when you're arrogant, you need to deliver.”

In the 2024 season, Lawson replaced Sergio Perez, who had seen a significant drop in performance. A notable incident occurred when Lawson and Perez clashed at Perez's home race, leading to Lawson's infamous gesture that many have not forgotten.

Montoya pointed out an interesting dynamic within the racing community, suggesting that the Mexican fanbase may be reveling in Lawson's struggle, especially given his disrespectful behavior towards Perez last year. “The Mexicans will be loving this because he gave Checo the middle finger last year, claiming Perez was a terrible driver. Now, seeing him in the same car and struggling even more than Perez must be a bitter pill for him to swallow.

Despite the criticism, Montoya remains optimistic about Lawson's potential. “It’s been a very humbling experience for Liam. I think this could help him put everything into perspective. If he doesn’t panic and focuses on driving, he has the capability to turn things around and perform exceptionally well.”

As Lawson seeks to reclaim his place in the motorsport arena, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if he can rise above the backlash and showcase the talent that earned him a place in Formula 1. Will he learn from this experience and make a triumphant return, or will this setback define his career? Only time will tell!