History of Liam Lawson in Timeline

Liam Lawson is a New Zealand racing driver currently competing in Formula One for Red Bull Racing. He is a rising star in motorsport, showcasing his talent on the world's biggest stage. Lawson's progression through the junior ranks highlights his skill and potential within the highly competitive world of Formula One.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1978: Historical Reference

In 2023, when Liam Lawson won on his Super Formula debut it was noted that he was the first driver to win on their Japanese Top Formula debut since 1978.

February 2002: Liam Lawson Born

In February 2002, Liam Lawson was born in Hastings, New Zealand. He was raised in Pukekohe. His parents sold their house to fund his racing career.

Others born on this day/year

2011: Driving the Red Bull RB7

In July 2021, Liam Lawson drove the 2011 Red Bull RB7 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

2014: Two Karting Titles

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

2015: Graduation to Junior Formulae

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

2015: Single-Seater Debut and Formula First Manfeild Winter Series

In 2015, Liam Lawson made his single-seater debut in the Formula First Manfeild Winter Series with Sabre Motorsport, achieving a win and ten podiums to finish second overall. He also contested the NZ Formula First championship, securing a win, three podiums, and the Rookie of the Year title.

December 2017: Partakes in 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: Moves to Australian F4 Championship

In 2017, Liam Lawson moved up to the Australian F4 championship with BRM, securing five wins and finishing second overall in his rookie season.

November 2018: Competes in Asian F3 Championship Season Finale

In November 2018, Liam Lawson competed in the season finale of the Asian F3 championship with Pinnacle Motorsport, dominating the weekend by taking all wins, fastest laps, and pole positions, finishing eighth in the championship.

November 2018: Joins 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: Joins Red Bull Junior Team

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

March 2019: Joins MP Motorsport

In March 2019, Liam Lawson joined MP Motorsport to contest the inaugural championship. He was the highest scoring MP Motorsport driver with 41 points, finishing 11th in the championship.

2019: Joins Red Bull Junior Team

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

2019: Wins Toyota Racing Series

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

2019: Wins Toyota Racing Series and Finishes Runner-up in Euroformula Open

In 2019, Liam Lawson won the Toyota Racing Series and finished runner-up in the Euroformula Open championship.

2020: Progresses to FIA Formula 3

In 2020, Liam Lawson progressed to FIA Formula 3.

2020: Switches to Hitech Grand Prix

In 2020, Liam Lawson switched to Hitech Grand Prix. He grabbed his maiden victory in the series at the Austrian race. He finished the Hungary race with a double retirement.

2020: Participates in post-season testing with Hitech Grand Prix

In 2020, Liam Lawson took part in the post-season testing with Hitech Grand Prix.

January 2021: Competing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship

On 15 January 2021, Liam Lawson was announced to be competing in the 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship with Hitech Grand Prix. He qualified eighth at the opening round in Bahrain.

June 2021: DTM Race Win in Monza

On June 19, 2021, Liam Lawson won the opening race of the 2021 DTM in Monza, becoming the youngest-ever race winner in the series. After a spin in the second Monza race, he finished second in both races at the Lausitzring.

July 2021: First Experience in F1 car

In July 2021, Liam Lawson got his first experience in an F1 car at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed, driving the 2011 Red Bull RB7.

September 2021: Victories at the Red Bull Ring

On September 4, 2021, Liam Lawson secured his second DTM victory at the Red Bull Ring, starting from pole position for the first time. On September 5, 2021, he claimed his third DTM victory at the same track, starting from second position.

2021: Third Placed Podium

In 2021, Liam Lawson achieved a third placed podium at Bahrain. He said that he was 'more comfortable' in F2 following his dual campaign with DTM in 2021.

2021: DTM and Formula 2 Participation

In 2021, Liam Lawson competed in the DTM, driving a Red Bull-sponsored Ferrari for AF Corse alongside Alex Albon, while also participating in his first Formula 2 season.

2021: Moves to FIA Formula 2 and Competes in DTM

In 2021, Liam Lawson moved to FIA Formula 2 and competed in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) for Red Bull AF Corse.

January 2022: Races for Carlin in 2022

On 14 January 2022, Liam Lawson announced that he would race for Carlin in the 2022 season alongside Logan Sargeant.

March 2022: Formula One debut in a free practice session

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

June 2022: Promoted to Reserve Driver for Red Bull Racing

Following Jüri Vips' use of a racial slur on a Twitch livestream in June 2022, Liam Lawson was promoted to replace Vips as the reserve driver for Red Bull Racing, sharing this role with AlphaTauri.

2022: Departure from F2

At the end of 2022, Liam Lawson concluded his time in F2, marking the end of a chapter in his racing career.

2022: Becomes Reserve Driver

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

2022: Testing with AlphaTauri AT03

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

August 2023: Formula One Debut and Subsequent Races

In August 2023, Liam Lawson debuted in Formula One at the Dutch Grand Prix, replacing the injured Daniel Ricciardo for AlphaTauri. Despite limited practice, he finished 13th, battling Charles Leclerc. He continued to race for AlphaTauri, qualifying 12th and finishing 11th at the Italian Grand Prix. At the Singapore Grand Prix, Lawson achieved a career-best tenth place in qualifying and finished ninth, scoring his first Formula One points.

2023: Super Formula Championship Debut

In 2023, Liam Lawson competed in the Super Formula Championship with Team Mugen. He won his debut race in Fuji, becoming the first driver to win on their Japanese Top Formula debut since 1978. He later secured another win at Autopolis and was close to winning the championship.

2023: Reserve Driver for Red Bull and AlphaTauri

In 2023, Liam Lawson continued as a reserve driver for Red Bull and AlphaTauri. Following the British Grand Prix, he was not chosen to replace Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri, with Daniel Ricciardo taking the seat instead.

2023: Runner-up in Super Formula Championship

In 2023, Liam Lawson finished as runner-up in the Super Formula Championship with Mugen.

2023: End of Season Performance and Return to Reserve Role

In 2023, Liam Lawson finished eleventh at the Japanese Grand Prix. He had a difficult Qatar Grand Prix, spinning out of the sprint and finishing last in the race. Daniel Ricciardo returned for the United States Grand Prix, and Lawson went back to his reserve driver role.

2023: Formula One Debut and Maiden Points Finish

In 2023, Liam Lawson made his Formula One debut at the Dutch Grand Prix, replacing an injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri and scored his maiden points finish in Singapore.

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 July at Silverstone and another day of testing for RB with the 2022 AlphaTauri AT03 at Imola. Rumors speculated he might replace Daniel Ricciardo due to poor performances, but Ricciardo denied these rumors.

2024: Focus on Reserve Driver Role

In 2024, Liam Lawson opted to focus on his reserve driver role full-time, discontinuing his participation in Super Formula.

2024: Replaces Ricciardo Full-Time at RB

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

2025: Promotion to Full-Time Drive with Red Bull

In 2025, Liam Lawson is contracted to a full-time drive with Red Bull, replacing Sergio Pérez to partner Max Verstappen.

2025: Promotion to Red Bull and Early Season Races

In 2025, Liam Lawson was promoted to Red Bull, replacing Sergio Pérez and partnering with Max Verstappen. At the Australian Grand Prix, he qualified eighteenth and crashed out. He qualified last for both the sprint and main race at the Chinese Grand Prix, finishing fourteenth in the sprint.