Liam Lawson

New Zealand driver racing for Racing Bulls in the 2026 F1 season.

Liam Lawson Stats, Career Points, and 2026 F1 Driver Profile

Entering the 2026 Formula 1 season, Liam Lawson is embarking on his second full campaign in the sport, serving as Racing Bulls' lead driver in the 2026 regulation reset.

After a chaotic and rollercoaster 2025 season that saw him briefly promoted to the senior Red Bull Racing squad before returning to Faenza, the fiercely determined New Zealander has now established himself as the most experienced driver in the lineup. Tasked with steering Racing Bulls through a massive technical reset, Lawson's 2026 campaign is heavily focused on proving his long-term value within the notoriously ruthless Red Bull ecosystem.

Key Facts About Liam Lawson

• **The Racing Bulls Anchor:** Serves as the senior and most experienced driver in the lineup for Racing Bulls in 2026.
• **The Red Bull Rollercoaster:** Briefly partnered Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing at the start of 2025 before returning to Racing Bulls to rebuild his momentum.
• **Super-Sub Origins:** First made his name in F1 by stepping in for an injured Daniel Ricciardo in 2023, famously scoring points and knocking Max Verstappen out of qualifying in Singapore.
• **Kiwi Representation:** He is the first New Zealander to race in Formula 1 since Brendon Hartley.

Liam Lawson: Fast Facts

Liam Lawson F1 Career Summary

• **Wins:** 0
• **Podiums:** 0
• **Poles:** 0
• **Career Points:** 44 (end of 2025)
• **Best Finish:** P5
• **First Race:** 2023 Dutch Grand Prix

Liam Lawson F1 Career Timeline

The "Super-Sub" Breakthrough (2023–2024)

Lawson first caught the Formula 1 world's attention in 2023 when he was unexpectedly called upon to replace an injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri for five races. He delivered an incredibly mature debut in torrential rain at Zandvoort, but his true breakthrough came at the Singapore Grand Prix, where he sensationally eliminated Max Verstappen in Q2 and scored his first F1 points. He spent most of 2024 back in a reserve role before stepping in again for the final six rounds of the season to replace Ricciardo permanently.

The Red Bull Promotion and Demotion (2025)

Lawson’s highly anticipated promotion to the senior Red Bull Racing team alongside Max Verstappen arrived at the start of the 2025 season, replacing Sergio Pérez. However, the notoriously difficult Red Bull machinery proved challenging to master immediately. After just two rounds, Red Bull executed a sudden driver swap, promoting Yuki Tsunoda to the senior team and sending Lawson back to Racing Bulls. Unfazed by the demotion, Lawson spent the rest of the year rebuilding his reputation, delivering consistent midfield performances to finish 14th in the Drivers' Championship with 38 points.

Leading the Ford Era at Racing Bulls (2026–Present)

Entering 2026, Lawson serves as the established senior driver at Racing Bulls. Armed with the brand-new Red Bull-Ford powertrain programme, Lawson is tasked with guiding the Faenza-based squad through the massive 2026 regulatory reset. Expected to partner a rookie from the Red Bull Junior Programme, Lawson’s objective is to consistently maximize points while proving to the Red Bull hierarchy that he still possesses the raw speed to eventually return to the top table.

Key Career Milestones

Driving Style and Racecraft

Forged in highly competitive junior categories like DTM and Super Formula, Lawson is highly regarded for his adaptability and mental resilience:

• **Rapid Acclimatization:** Lawson has repeatedly proven he can jump into unfamiliar machinery with zero testing and immediately find the limit, a trait that earned him his initial F1 seat.
• **Aggressive Racecraft:** He is not afraid to throw his car into tight battles, famously going wheel-to-wheel with Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen during his rookie stint.
• **Unshakeable Composure:** Having survived the ultimate pressure cooker of the Red Bull driver program, engineers consistently praise his calm, analytical demeanor on the radio when recovering from setbacks.

Liam Lawson F1 Career Stats (Wins, Podiums & Poles)

(Verified totals through the early 2026 season)

Commercial Ecosystem and Fan Culture

As the first New Zealander to race in Formula 1 since Brendon Hartley, Lawson enjoys massive national backing and a rapidly growing international fanbase. His personal brand leans heavily into his Kiwi roots and approachable personality.

Lawson operates his own official merchandise line, which frequently features his #30 and sleek, minimalist streetwear designs. In the paddock, he is backed by personal sponsors including Rodin Cars and Giltrap Group, who have supported his entire journey from New Zealand to the pinnacle of motorsport.

Best Liam Lawson #30 Caps for Race Weekend

Fans looking to support the Racing Bulls driver have a variety of sharp, high-quality options to wear to the track:

• **Official Liam Lawson Store:** The primary hub for his personal, driver-branded streetwear, including premium hoodies and his bespoke #30 driver caps.
• **New Zealand Flags:** The absolute staple for Kiwi fans supporting their homegrown star from the grandstands.

Top Racing Bulls Merchandise for 2026 Season

If you are traveling to support Lawson and the wider Faenza squad, top-selling affiliate items include:

• **Racing Bulls Teamwear:** Officially licensed team apparel featuring the new 2026 branding and partner logos.
• **Waterproof Team Jackets:** A necessity for European and Asian rounds with unpredictable weather.
• **1:18 & 1:43 Diecast Models:** Highly sought-after collectibles include his 2023 AlphaTauri AT04 from his spectacular Singapore Grand Prix points finish.
• **Race Scanners:** Perfect for listening to Lawson’s tactical radio calls with the Racing Bulls pit wall.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How old is Liam Lawson?

Liam Lawson was born on 11 February 2002, making him 24 years old for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

2. Where is Liam Lawson from?

Lawson was born in Hastings, New Zealand, and races under the New Zealand flag.

3. What is Liam Lawson's F1 race number?

Liam Lawson primarily races with the number 30 in Formula 1.

4. Why did Red Bull drop Liam Lawson?

Lawson was demoted back to Racing Bulls early in 2025 after a brief two-race stint with the senior Red Bull Racing team. The notoriously ruthless Red Bull ecosystem opted to swap him for Yuki Tsunoda after Lawson initially struggled to master the highly difficult Red Bull machinery.

5. Will Liam Lawson return to Red Bull?

Lawson remains a highly rated prospect within the Red Bull family. His 2026 objective at Racing Bulls is to maximize points and prove to the Red Bull hierarchy that he possesses the consistency and raw speed required to eventually return to the senior team.

6. Who is Liam Lawson's teammate for 2026?

For the 2026 season, Lawson is expected to partner a rookie from the Red Bull Junior Programme at Racing Bulls.

7. When did Liam Lawson score his first F1 points?

Lawson scored his first Formula 1 points at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, finishing 9th while substituting for Daniel Ricciardo.

8. Who did Liam Lawson replace when he debuted?

Lawson made his unexpected F1 debut at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, replacing Daniel Ricciardo after the Australian suffered a broken hand during practice.

9. What engine does Racing Bulls use in 2026?

For the 2026 season, Racing Bulls utilizes the Red Bull-Ford powertrain programme.

10. What series did Liam Lawson race in before F1?

Before entering Formula 1 full-time, Lawson competed in numerous highly competitive series, including Formula 2, DTM, and the Japanese Super Formula championship.