Liam Lawson (born February 11, 2002) worked his way from karting in New Zealand to Formula 1 within a decade. His path features early titles, rapid learning curves, and steady consistency in higher categories. Since his debut in 2023, Lawson has been part of the F1 grid and, after roles as reserve and race driver, currently competes for Racing Bulls, Red Bull Racing’s sister team. For editors, agencies, brands, creators, NGOs, and education, this profile provides a chronological overview of Lawson’s trajectory, performance peaks, and development through the 2025 season.
IMAGO / Dreamstime / Bruce Jenkins / TGRNZ / Liam Lawson NZ, Liam Lawson, M2 Competition, New Zealand, wins the NZ Motor Cup at round 4 of the Castrol Toyota Racing Series, 6 February 2020, New Zealand.
Lawson was born in Hastings and grew up in Pukekohe near a historic race circuit. He started karting at age six and stood out early for precise racecraft and consistency. Mentor Ken Smith, a three‑time New Zealand Grand Prix winner, played a key role in his development. Strong family support enabled early steps into higher series.
In 2015, Lawson moved from karting into single‑seaters. The breakthrough at home came with the 2016/17 New Zealand Formula Ford Championship, which he won at 15 as the youngest champion. In 2017 he advanced to Australian F4, taking five wins and the runner‑up spot. In 2018 he continued in ADAC Formula 4 with Van Amersfoort Racing, claiming three wins, three pole positions, and another overall second place.
IMAGO / Depositphotos / 24 hours of Le Mans, lap for the winner Toyota TS050 Hybrid, Gazoo Racing Team, 24 hours of Le Mans - France.
At the start of 2019, Lawson won the Toyota Racing Series with M2 Competition. After the cancellation of Formula European Masters, he stepped into Euroformula Open with Motopark, opened with double wins, and finished the season with four victories. He ended the year second overall and took the unofficial rookie title. In parallel, he joined the Red Bull Junior Team, setting the course for the next phase of his career.
Lawson debuted in the restructured FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2019 with MP Motorsport, scoring early podiums. In 2020 he moved to Hitech Grand Prix, earning three wins and six podiums to finish fifth in a deep, competitive field. The shift from newcomer to established race winner was clearly visible.
IMAGO / imagebroker / Mechanics working in the pit box, pit lane at the DTM race car, German Touring Car Masters, driven by New Zealand racing driver Liam Lawson, Red Bull AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020, Norisring, street circuit, temporary car racing track, Dutzendteich, former Reich Party Rally Grounds of the NSDAP, Nuremberg, Middle Franconia, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, Europe.
Lawson stepped up to Formula 2 for 2021 and won a race in his rookie season. In 2022 he switched to Carlin (Rodin Carlin), took four wins, ten podiums in total, and finished third in the championship. In parallel, he competed in DTM in 2021 with Red Bull AF Corse in a Ferrari, won races, and ended the season as vice‑champion after a hard‑fought finale. The dual program highlighted his adaptability to very different car concepts.
IMAGO / Aswendt / DTM Race 2 - Lausitzring: DTM Qualifying. In the foreground Liam Lawson (NZL) Ferrari Red Bull AF Corse DTM Race 2 - Lausitzring from 23rd to 25th July 2021.
Without an immediate F1 promotion, Lawson raced in Japan’s Super Formula with Team Mugen in 2023. He won his debut at Fuji and remained in the title hunt all season. He finished as runner‑up — further evidence of his rapid integration into new series and conditions.
IMAGO / HochZwei / 40 Liam Lawson (NZL, Scuderia AlphaTauri), F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 17, 2023 in Singapore, Singapore.
From 2022, Lawson served as test and reserve driver across Red Bull’s two F1 teams. He made his Grand Prix debut at the 2023 Dutch GP after Daniel Ricciardo’s injury and completed five races for the then‑AlphaTauri team. A standout performance came in Singapore with a Q3 appearance and ninth place in the race. In 2024, he initially remained a reserve but later gained a race seat and added further mileage with the sister team.
Lawson began 2025 at Red Bull Racing but struggled in the opening two Grands Prix and returned to Racing Bulls thereafter. Back in the sister team, he stabilized his form, scored regularly, and contributed important points to the constructors’ tally. A season highlight came in Baku: third on the grid after a chaotic qualifying and fifth at the flag — his best F1 finish to date. Across the year he collected 38 points, logged seven top‑10 results, and placed 14th in the drivers’ standings.
IMAGO / HochZwei / Sara Ruffoni / LIAM LAWSON (NZL, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team) at the Formula 1 Post-Season Testing in Abu Dhabi 2025 at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates.
Lawson has taken wins or podiums at nearly every stage of his career and delivered his most complete F1 season to date in 2025. His position within the Red Bull structure runs at least through 2026; at Racing Bulls, he has the platform to develop further as a team leader. In the paddock, he is regarded as focused and adaptable — qualities that matter in a tightly packed midfield. If his learning curve continues, another opportunity in a front‑running team remains a realistic prospect.
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