Liam Lawson is a New Zealand racing driver born on February 11, 2002, in Hastings and raised in Pukekohe, a town known for its proximity to the Pukekohe Park Raceway. At 23 years old, Lawson has emerged as a promising talent in motorsport, currently competing in Formula 1 for Racing Bulls, a sister team to Red Bull Racing. His journey began with karting at age six, inspired by a childhood fascination with Disney’s Lightning McQueen and mentored by three-time New Zealand Grand Prix winner Ken Smith.
Lawson’s determination and raw talent have propelled him through the ranks of junior formulae to the pinnacle of motorsport, despite financial hurdles that required significant family sacrifice. Known for his calm demeanor under pressure and ability to adapt to challenging conditions, Lawson has become a standout figure, representing New Zealand on the global stage.
Liam Lawson parents
Jared and Kristy Lawson are the parents of Liam, playing an instrumental role in his rise to Formula 1. Jared, a general manager at Mainstream Global with over 30 years of experience in logistics and freight, was a racing enthusiast who ignited Liam’s passion for motorsport. He coached Liam from the age of six, teaching him the basics of karting despite having no prior racing background himself. Jared’s dedication extended to standing on corners in the rain to guide Liam’s braking points, fostering a strong father-son bond through motorsport.
Kristy, a mother of five, provided unwavering emotional and logistical support, managing a bustling household while nurturing Liam’s ambitions. Her love for gardening, evident in her bountiful harvests of watermelons and berries, reflects her nurturing nature. The couple made a profound sacrifice by selling their family home to fund Liam’s early racing career, a decision that left them without homeownership to this day. Their commitment was further supported by a network of sponsors and investors, orchestrated by mentor Grant McDonald, ensuring Liam could compete in Europe. Jared and Kristy’s pride was palpable when Liam scored his first F1 points at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, a milestone they witnessed in person after years of unfulfilled promises to attend the event.
Career
Lawson’s career is a testament to perseverance and talent in a fiercely competitive sport. He began karting at seven, winning two New Zealand karting titles in 2014. In 2015, he transitioned to single-seater racing with Sabre Motorsport in the Formula First Manfeild Winter Series, securing a win and ten podiums to finish second overall. His breakthrough came in 2016–17 with the New Zealand F1600 Championship title as a privateer. Moving to international competition, Lawson finished runner-up in the 2017 Australian F4 Championship and the 2018 ADAC F4 Championship, showcasing his adaptability. In 2019, he dominated the Toyota Racing Series with M2 Competition, earning a spot in the Red Bull Junior Team.
This pivotal moment led to stints in FIA Formula 3 (2020) and Formula 2 (2021–22), where he finished third in 2022 with Carlin Motorsport. Lawson also competed in the 2021 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, narrowly missing the title. In 2023, he raced in Japan’s Super Formula Championship, finishing second, and made his F1 debut with AlphaTauri at the Dutch Grand Prix, replacing an injured Daniel Ricciardo. His standout performance came at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, where he scored points with a ninth-place finish. In 2024, Lawson replaced Ricciardo full-time at Racing Bulls from the United States Grand Prix, and in 2025, he briefly partnered Max Verstappen at Red Bull before returning to Racing Bulls after two races, swapped with Yuki Tsunoda. Despite setbacks, Lawson’s resilience keeps him focused on establishing himself in F1.
Accolades
Lawson’s career is marked by numerous achievements across various motorsport disciplines. His early successes include two New Zealand karting titles in 2014, followed by the 2016–17 New Zealand F1600 Championship. In 2019, he clinched the Toyota Racing Series title, a defining moment that secured his Red Bull Junior Team contract. Lawson’s runner-up finishes in the 2017 Australian F4, 2018 ADAC F4, and 2019 Euroformula Open Championships demonstrated his consistency at the junior level.
In 2022, he finished third in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Carlin Motorsport, earning multiple podiums. His second-place finish in the 2021 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters and the 2023 Super Formula Championship further highlighted his versatility. In Formula 1, Lawson’s ninth-place finish at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix earned him a Halberg Awards nomination for New Zealand’s Best Sporting Moment. He has also been recognized with Motorsport New Zealand Awards for his contributions to the sport.