History of Liam Lawson in Timeline

Liam Lawson is a New Zealand racing driver currently competing in Formula One for Racing Bulls. Lawson has demonstrated talent and skill in motorsports, leading to his participation in the highest tier of racing. His career trajectory reflects a dedication to the sport, progressing through various racing series to reach Formula One. Representing New Zealand on the global stage, Lawson contributes to the international presence of motorsport.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1978: First Driver to win on Debut since 1978

In 2023, Liam Lawson became the first driver to win on their Japanese Top Formula debut since 1978.

February 2002: Liam Lawson Born

Liam Jared Lawson was born in February 2002, becoming a New Zealand racing driver.

Others born on this day/year

2008: Began karting

In 2008, Liam Lawson began karting, competing in numerous championships across New Zealand.

2011: Drove the 2011 Red Bull RB7

In July 2021, Liam Lawson drove the 2011 Red Bull RB7.

2014: Two karting titles

In 2014, Liam Lawson won two karting titles in New Zealand.

2015: New Zealand Formula Ford Championship

In 2015, Liam Lawson graduated to junior formulae and won his first title in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship as a privateer.

2015: Single-seater debut

In 2015, Liam Lawson made his single-seater debut in the Formula First Manfeild Winter Series with Sabre Motorsport, finishing second overall. He later contested the NZ Formula First championship, finishing sixth and winning the Rookie of the Year title.

December 2017: Mazda Road to Indy Shootout

In December 2017, Liam Lawson partook in the Mazda Road to Indy Shootout, finishing as the fastest driver but losing out on the scholarship to Keith Donegan.

2017: Runner-up in Australian F4

In 2017, Liam Lawson finished as runner-up in the Australian F4 championship.

2017: Australian F4

In 2017, Liam Lawson moved up to the Australian F4 championship with BRM, taking five wins to finish second in his rookie season.

November 2018: Asian F3 championship

In November 2018, Liam Lawson competed in the season finale of the Asian F3 championship with Pinnacle Motorsport, dominating the weekend to finish eighth in the championship.

November 2018: Joined M2 Competition

In November 2018, Liam Lawson joined M2 Competition for the 2019 championship.

2018: Runner-up in ADAC F4

In 2018, Liam Lawson finished as runner-up in the ADAC F4 championship.

February 2019: Joined Red Bull Junior Team

In February 2019, Liam Lawson joined the Red Bull Junior Team.

March 2019: Joined MP Motorsport

In March 2019, Liam Lawson joined MP Motorsport to contest the inaugural FIA Formula 3 Championship.

2019: Joined Red Bull Junior Team

In 2019, Liam Lawson became a member of the Red Bull Junior Team.

2019: Euroformula Open Championship

In 2019, Liam Lawson finished runner-up in the Euroformula Open championship.

2019: Toyota Racing Series Title

In 2019, Liam Lawson secured the Toyota Racing Series title at the New Zealand Grand Prix after a season-long battle with Marcus Armstrong.

2020: Joined Hitech Grand Prix

In 2020, Liam Lawson moved to Hitech Grand Prix for the season.

2020: Progressed to FIA Formula 3

In 2020, Liam Lawson progressed to FIA Formula 3.

January 2021: FIA Formula 2 Championship

In January 2021, Liam Lawson was announced to be competing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Hitech Grand Prix alongside Jüri Vips.

July 2021: First F1 experience

In July 2021, Liam Lawson experienced an F1 car for the first time at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed, driving the 2011 Red Bull RB7.

2021: Bahrain double podium

In 2021, Lawson finished third in the sprint and second in the feature race at the Bahrain Grand Prix, securing a double podium. He noted feeling more comfortable in Formula 2 after the 2021 DTM season.

2021: DTM Debut and Success

In 2021, Liam Lawson competed in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), driving a Red Bull-sponsored Ferrari 488 GT3. He won his debut race in Monza, becoming the youngest-ever race winner in DTM history. He finished second in both races at the Lausitzring. He secured his first pole position and second victory at the Red Bull Ring. He claimed another win the following day.

2021: Competed in Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters

In 2021, Liam Lawson competed in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for Red Bull AF Corse alongside Alex Albon.

2021: Moved to FIA Formula 2

In 2021, Liam Lawson moved to FIA Formula 2.

March 2022: Formula One debut

In March 2022 Franz Tost revealed that Lawson would make his Formula One debut in a free practice session for them during the season.

June 2022: Promoted to reserve driver

In June 2022, Liam Lawson was promoted to replace Jüri Vips as the reserve driver for Red Bull Racing, sharing this role with AlphaTauri.

2022: Departure from Formula 2

At the end of 2022, Liam Lawson left Formula 2.

2022: Reserve driver for Red Bull and AlphaTauri

From 2022, Liam Lawson was a reserve driver for both Red Bull and AlphaTauri.

2022: Testing with AlphaTauri AT03

In 2024, as part of his reserve driver duties, Liam Lawson completed a day of testing for RB with the 2022 AlphaTauri AT03 at Imola.

2022: Raced for Carlin in the 2022 season

Liam Lawson switched that he would race for Carlin in the 2022 season alongside American Logan Sargeant.

August 2023: Likely to race at the 2023 Italian Grand Prix

On August 28, 2023, AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost stated that Liam Lawson would likely continue to race for the team at the 2023 Italian Grand Prix. This statement was confirmed hours later.

2023: Formula One debut

At the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, Liam Lawson made his Formula One debut, replacing an injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri for five Grands Prix. He scored his maiden points finish in Singapore.

2023: Super Formula Championship

In 2023, Liam Lawson competed in the Super Formula Championship, finishing runner-up to Ritomo Miyata with Mugen.

2023: Super Formula Debut and Championship Contention

In 2023, Liam Lawson contested the Super Formula Championship, winning his debut race in Fuji. In Suzuka, he finished fourth. In Autopolis, he secured a win and moved into the championship lead. In Sugo, he finished fifth, allowing Miyata to take the lead. Lawson claimed his second win in Fuji, closing the championship deficit to a single point.

2023: Reserve driver

In 2023, Liam Lawson continued as reserve driver for Red Bull and AlphaTauri. Following the British Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo was chosen to replace Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri, with Lawson understanding the decision.

2024: Reserve Driver Role and Testing

In 2024, Liam Lawson continued as a reserve driver for Red Bull Racing and RB Formula One Team. He completed a filming day with the Red Bull RB20 in mid-July at Silverstone, following the British Grand Prix. He also completed a day of testing for RB with the 2022 AlphaTauri AT03 at Imola.

2024: Focus on Reserve Driver Commitments

In 2024, Liam Lawson did not continue in Super Formula, opting to focus full-time on his reserve driver commitments.

2024: Replaced Ricciardo at Racing Bulls

In 2024, Liam Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo full-time at the re-branded Racing Bulls from the United States Grand Prix onwards.

2025: Promoted to Red Bull then demoted

For his 2025 campaign, Liam Lawson was promoted to a full-time drive with parent team Red Bull—replacing Sergio Pérez to partner Max Verstappen—but was demoted after the second round.

2025: Promotion to Red Bull and early season struggles

In 2025, Liam Lawson was promoted to Red Bull, partnering with Max Verstappen. At the Australian Grand Prix, he crashed out. In China, he finished twelfth after disqualifications and a penalty ahead of him. Red Bull considered replacing him with Yuki Tsunoda after these performances.

2025: Demotion and performances with Racing Bulls

In 2025, Liam Lawson was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda and moved back to Racing Bulls. Team adviser Helmut Marko admitted Red Bull "made a mistake" in promoting Lawson too early. He finished seventeenth in his return race. Lawson received penalties at the Bahrain Grand Prix and finished sixteenth. He finished eleventh in Saudi Arabia. He finished thirteenth in the Miami sprint and retired during the main race. He scored his first points at the Monaco Grand Prix, finishing eighth. He scored points again at the Austrian Grand Prix in a career-best sixth. He sustained damage at the British Grand Prix. Lawson finished eighth at the Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix. Lawson qualified third and finished fifth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Lawson finished 15th at the Singapore Grand Prix.