“My story is crazy”: Liam Lawson reveals how “an overtaking” earned him a contract with Red Bull Junior
Liam Lawson tells the story of how a « big overtake » during a series of races in New Zealand caught the eye of Helmut Marko, leading to his signing to the Red Bull team's junior program.
After finishing second in the German Formula 4 championship in 2018, Liam Lawson had no contract to continue his racing career and returned to New Zealand. There, he participated in the Formula Regional Oceania championship, formerly known as the Toyota Racing Series.
When asked about the start of his journey with Red Bull during his appearance on the Pitstop podcast, Liam Lawson replied: « My story is crazy, the way everything has unfolded for me since I was young. I’m incredibly lucky. »
A decisive race
The 22-year-old driver continued by explaining how his contract with Red Bull came about: « [The Toyota Racing Series] was very popular at the time. Lando [Norris] did it, Lance [Stroll] too, a lot of guys participated in it. It’s five consecutive weeks of racing in New Zealand during the summer, in cars quite similar to F3. And since it’s winter here [in Europe], no one is doing anything, so everyone goes there and uses it as a training program for five weeks as part of a championship. »
I participated knowing it was my last chance, because we had no plan for 2019, no money for F3, and no seats available. I told myself, ‘I absolutely must get something out of this championship.’ And after the first weekend, we received the Red Bull contract. It was thanks to an overtake, literally a big overtake I made, and the next day, we had the contract, he explains.
When asked if it was due to Helmut Marko’s observation, Liam Lawson replied: « Lucas Auer was also participating, and he was a Red Bull Junior driver at the time. I remember he was my teammate, and in the first round, I saw his Red Bull helmet and I thought: ‘Oh my God, it’s so cool – Red Bull driver, Red Bull helmet.’ So [Marko] was surely watching because Lucas was racing, and he saw that and then sent a contract. »
This contract allowed Liam Lawson to join the Red Bull Junior Team in February 2019. His career then led him to F3, F2, and Super Formula, while serving as a test and reserve driver for the Red Bull team in F1.
The New Zealander made his racing debut in F1 in 2023, replacing the injured Daniel Ricciardo in five Grand Prix. He returned at the end of the 2024 season to replace Daniel Ricciardo once again, following the Australian’s departure.
In 2025, he will join the Red Bull team as a regular driver alongside Max Verstappen, following the departure of Sergio Perez.
