Liam Lawson

Liam Lawson's driving style is characterised by an impressive blend of composure and calculated aggression that belies his relative youth in Formula 1. From his very first race weekend as a stand-in, Lawson demonstrated remarkable poise under pressure, defending positions against far more experienced competitors without a hint of hesitation. His approach to circuit driving features smooth steering inputs, efficient use of kerbs, and an ability to extract performance from a car he has had limited time to learn, a quality that marks him as a natural talent.

Lawson thrives in unpredictable conditions, having shown strong pace in changeable weather during his substitute appearances. His racecraft is tidy and efficient, rarely putting himself in compromising positions while maintaining the ability to seize opportunities when they arise. He has a strong qualifying pace, often able to hook up a lap when it matters most. His tyre management is advanced for a driver with so few grand prix starts under his belt, and his feedback to engineers has been lauded as mature and highly detailed, allowing teams to extract more from the car during race weekends.

Born on 11 February 2002 in Hastings, New Zealand, Liam Lawson grew up in a country with limited motorsport infrastructure compared to Europe, yet his raw talent quickly set him apart. He began karting at a young age and moved to single-seater racing in his early teens, eventually relocating to Europe to pursue his dream of reaching Formula 1. He raced in Formula 3 and Formula 2, where he proved himself a consistent frontrunner and race winner, catching the eye of the Red Bull Junior Team.

Lawson's Formula 1 story began dramatically in 2023 when he was called up at short notice to replace the injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri. In just five races, he made a lasting impression, finishing in the points at the Singapore Grand Prix and showcasing the kind of resilience and skill that Red Bull demand from their junior drivers. His performance was good enough to keep him in the Red Bull programme's plans for the future.

For 2025, Lawson earned a full-time race seat alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, a move that surprised some given his limited F1 experience but reflected the team's confidence in his potential. As the first New Zealander in F1 since Brendon Hartley's brief stint, Lawson carries the hopes of a motorsport-loving nation on his shoulders. His early results have been promising, and the wider paddock views him as a future race winner and potential championship contender if given the right machinery.