Liam Lawson is a New Zealander racing driver who drove for AlphaTauri in the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship.
Date of Birth: | 11 February 2002 |
Birthplace: | Hastings, New Zealand |
Height: | 5'9" (174cm) |
First F1 Race: | 2023 Dutch Grand Prix |
First F1 Win: | - |
2023 F1 Team: | AlphaTauri |
F1 Championships: | 0 |
F1 Wins: | 0 |
Number: | 40 |
Liam Lawson was born on February 11, 2002, to father Jared Lawson and mother Kristy Lawson. The New Zealander driver was born in Hastings, New Zealand, and he represents New Zealand in his racing career.
The New Zealander started his career in karting like the vast majority of racing drivers. His potential was very soon clear, and already in 2005, he finished second in the Formula First Manfeild Winter Series.
In the 2016-17 season, Lawson dominated the New Zealand F1600 Championship Series, winning an incredible 14 out of 15 races and finishing every race on the podium while also recording 12 fastest laps.
After that, it was obvious that Lawson may be one of the most talented drivers to ever come out of New Zealand, so it's not a surprise that legendary motor racing driver Ken Smith mentors his compatriot.
After success in multiple junior series, Lawson's career progressed quickly. He won the Toyota Racing Series in 2019 and placed second in the following season while also finishing fifth in the Formula 3 Championship.
In 2021, Lawson competed in the Formula 2 Championship, finishing ninth overall, but in 2022, he improved his result, finishing third overall, only one point ahead of
Logan Sargeant, who then got a seat in
Williams Racing for the 2023
Formula 1 season.
Initially, Lawson didn't follow in Sargeant's footsteps, serving only as a reserve driver for
Red Bull Racing in 2022 and 2023. However, after
Daniel Ricciardo, who replaced
Nyck de Vries in
AlphaTauri, broke a bone in his hand during a crash at the 2023
Dutch Grand Prix, Lawson replaced him, making his debut in the Formula One World Championship. In his first race, the New Zealander finished 13th.