Liam Lawson

Born on 11 February 2002 in Hastings, New Zealand, Liam Lawson was raised in Pukekohe, a town with deep motorsport heritage. His journey into racing began at the tender age of seven when he first stepped into competitive karting, setting the foundation for what would become a meteoric rise through the motorsport ranks.

From early in his career, Lawson benefited from the mentorship of Ken Smith, a three-time New Zealand Grand Prix winner who helped guide the young Kiwi's development through the formative years of his racing education.

Lawson made the crucial step up from karting to junior formulae in 2015, immediately making his mark by winning the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship as a privateer - a remarkable achievement that showcased both his raw talent and determination.

His progression through the junior ranks was characterized by consistent excellence, finishing as runner-up in three consecutive championships: the 2017 Australian F4, 2018 ADAC F4, and 2019 Euroformula Open. This pattern of near-misses was broken when he claimed victory in the 2019 Toyota Racing Series with M2, providing crucial momentum for his career.

The natural progression continued as Lawson moved into FIA Formula 3 in 2020, before making the step up to the highly competitive FIA Formula 2 championship in 2021. His F2 campaign culminated in a strong third-place finish in 2022 with Carlin, demonstrating his readiness for the next level.

Lawson's versatility as a racing driver was demonstrated through his successful foray into touring car racing, competing in the 2021 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for Red Bull AF Corse alongside fellow Red Bull driver Alex Albon. Despite a controversial finale, he secured a runner-up finish to Maximilian Götz, proving his adaptability across different racing disciplines.

His international racing experience was further broadened in 2023 when he competed in the Super Formula Championship, finishing runner-up to Ritomo Miyata with Mugen - another testament to his ability to quickly adapt to new series and challenge for victories.

Lawson's Formula One breakthrough came at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix when he replaced an injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri. His five-race stint showcased his immediate competitiveness at the highest level, culminating in his maiden points finish at the Singapore Grand Prix. This impressive debut led to a permanent seat, replacing Ricciardo full-time at the rebranded RB team from the 2024 United States Grand Prix onwards.

The ultimate recognition of his talent came with his promotion to Red Bull's main team for the 2025 season, where he was selected to partner Max Verstappen, replacing Sergio Pérez. However, following the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, he was moved back to Racing Bulls for the remainder of the season, with Yuki Tsunoda taking his place at Red Bull.