Liam
Lawson
New Zealand
·
F1
Date of birth | 11 February 2002 |
|---|---|
Place of birth | Hastings |
Age | 24 |
Nationality | New Zealand |
Career start | 2015 |
Disciplines | Formula 1 |
01
The early rise of a prodigy
Liam Lawson was one of the most prodigious talents to make his way through the Red Bull Junior Team driver development program, winning on his debut in every category he's raced: Formula First, Formula Ford, Formula Four, Formula Three Asia and the Toyota Racing Series, which he won overall in 2019 – that's an impressive list of achievements for someone who hadn't even turned 17!
Liam's breakthrough came in the 2016-17 season, when he won the NZ F1600 Championship Series. Fast forward to 2020 and he'd scored his first big junior victory at the European Formula Three Championship in Austria, followed by a podium at the Bristish Grand Prix and a win at the final race of the season in Mugello, Italy.
02
Formula 2 success leads to promotion
In 2021, Liam raced in both Formula 2 and DTM with AF Corse, winning the opening race of F2 in Bahrain and excelling in the DTM Championship, he finished as runner-up in his rookie campaign behind the wheel of a Ferrari.
For the 2022 season, Liam competed in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. Four victories and numerous podium finishes helped the Kiwi secure third place overall, while he was also promoted to reserve driver for Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri.
03
A new challenge and F1 debut
Expanding his horizons in 2023, Liam competed in the Super Formula Championship with Team Mugen and became the first driver in the history of the series to win on his debut. He would secure two more victories and finish second in the overall standings. That same year, he made his Formula One debut, stepping in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo at Scuderia AlphaTauri for the Dutch Grand Prix and finishing an impressive 13th before securing ninth place in Singapore.
After an impressive showing in F1, Liam initially served as a reserve driver for Oracle Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB (formerly Scuderia AlphaTauri) for the 2024 season, but he was then chosen to replace Ricciardo for the final six races of the 2024 season.
Liam's strong performances earned him a seat with Red Bull Racing to start the 2025 season. After an early season reshuffle, he moved to the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team where he continues to race with determination and skill, having been confirmed on the team's driver line-up for 2026.