It’s been a whirlwind year for Kiwi Liam Lawson and it’s only halfway through. Having taken the 2019 Toyota Racing Series by storm, winning the title at his first attempt, Lawson turned 17 years-old the day after the championship was over in February. As the perfect present, he was signed by one of motorsports most prestigious clubs, the Red Bull Junior driver programme.
Currently involved in both FIA Formula 3 and Euroformula Open, Liam has been bouncing from iconic track to iconic track all over Europe and his feet have hardly touched the ground in four months of racing.
LIAM LAWSON:
“It’s all happened so quickly. I can’t believe it’s July already. This year has gone so fast. Obviously it was so cool to sign with Red Bull on my birthday after winning the Grand Prix and the TRS championship, but we didn’t have a lot of time to take it all in as two weeks later we were back in Europe testing the new car.
“The start of the F3 season was difficult. We were pacey in the preseason – but we struggled in Barcelona at the first round. It was all about learning the tyre. At the track we have one practice session and just four or five push laps to learn everything we can about the tyre before qualifying. That’s been quite difficult for me.
“It’s a big step up to this car after F4 and while doing TRS was a huge help, this car is still a huge step from what I’ve been used to. So that’s been difficult.”
Then last weekend at Silverstone, it all came together for the young Kiwi and his feet landed firmly and proudly on a Formula One podium. He took his first podium, a third place for his Dutch MP Motorsport team in front of all of the Formula One teams and over 130,000 race fans.
“At Silverstone, we nailed it. We made a big change to the car because whatever we were doing wasn’t working. I found a lot in my driving as well, so it all came together.
“It was a dream come true to be there and get on the podium. Having watched Formula One and of course GP2 and GP3, watching the Kiwis like Mitch Evans and Richie Stanaway, It’s crazy to think I’m doing the same championships as they did. It was quite surreal actually being on a Formula One podium.
“And another example is on Friday, we had to do a fan zone session on the stage and there were 1000s of people there so it was very cool.”
Next stop is the Hungaroring, again as a support category to Formula One. It is a track Liam has raced at before.
“Budapest is a really cool track and in fact, I had the opportunity to race there a couple of weeks ago in Euro Formula. Also, I’m able to announce now that when they (FIA F3 and Euroformula Open) clash I will be doing FIA F3 so that’s good news.”
Lawson is now very much in the limelight as the Red Bull Junior programme continues to hit the headlines having just fired two-time Macau winner Dan Ticktum from Superformula in Japan. He has been replaced him with IndyCar rookie Pato O’Ward from Mexico who joins two-time TRS star Lucas Auer of Austria on the grid.
Involved in two championships and living near the Red Bull F1 factory in the UK, Lawson is making his own headlines by exceeding expectations in his rookie year with the programme.
“I live just down the road from the Red Bull F1 team in Milton Keynes and can get access to the factory anytime I want. I can use their gym and also having the simulator there too is awesome.
“It was a big decision whether I was ready for the Red Bull programme, being so young. It’s not just about the driving, though it is performance based. They want someone to represent them as a brand in Formula One so you have to be that full package. There’s a lot to work on.”
Although Liam has a full-on European program, there’s still a possibility he may well be back in New Zealand next summer to defend his TRS title.
The championship is eligible for Super Licence points and now can count as a winter series.
“I don’t know if I’m going to do it, but I would love to come back and race at home again, but its up to where Red Bull want me to race.”
As well as TRS there is also a strong possibility that Lawson may represent New Zealand along with Marcus Armstrong at the prestigious Macau Grand Prix in November. The unofficial World Cup for Formula 3. Nick Cassidy launched his international career with a podium a few years ago and has never looked back. He continues to rip-up the Japanese circuits in Super Formula and the Super GT Series as an official Toyota driver.
It’s well known that Liam worked hard to raise backing from investors in New Zealand to launch his international racing career and there’s no question the 17-year-old is delivering on his part of the deal.
“Liam is doing a very good job for his backers,” commented Lawson’s manager Grant McDonald. “We know how difficult it is for him to compete in two completely different cars and championships and we’re pleased with the progress he continues to make.
“Originally he was only going to contest Formula Masters this year and then move up to FIA F3 next year. The opportunity with Red Bull came along at the eleventh hour to enter FIA F3 so it was always considered to be a big learning year.
“To have his first podium mid-season is a fantastic effort for Liam and his hard-working team. There is still much to learn and improve on both in and out of the car but we couldn’t be more proud of him.”
It’s not hard to find Lawson in action. Just look up the Formula One schedule as FIA F3 is on the undercard. Over the European summer he will be at Budapest, Monza and Spa, looking to improve on his 10th overall in the championship.
And if you want to see Liam in NZ, book your tickets for the 2020 TRS series as Red Bull have been a big supporter of placing their drivers in this series in the past. It’s a series which has launched so many Formula One careers including most recently Lando Norris and Lance Stroll.
Lawson is following in their footsteps and at 17-years-old, is genuinely in line for a progression to F2 and potentially Torro Rosso and Red Bull F1 in the next 5 years.
LAWSON:
“The dream is still Formula One and that’s what we are pushing for and I won’t stop pushing till I get there.”
Comments