Liam Lawson: Clear Goals and Bold Ambitions in F1

Liam Lawson enters Formula 1 with clear ambitions, ready to challenge top drivers while staying focused on achieving his objectives.

Liam Lawson admits the pressure to prove his worth in six races by the end of 2024 forced him to give it his all. Racing for Racing Bulls at the end of the season, he had tense moments with Fernando Alonso and Sergio Pérez but insists he was only trying to do his best.

“I came into a unique situation. I knew I’d be participating in five or six races, and that was my chance to prove I deserved a place in F1. Whether with Racing Bulls or Red Bull, that was all I could do,” Lawson stated.

“These guys have been racing for a long time, especially Fernando. So I went in and made the most of every lap I had in the car. I didn’t intend to upset him, but it’s clear I raced him as I race anyone, and that’s how it turned out. I was just trying to make the most of it.”

“Maybe the added pressure, knowing what was at stake, triggered some of my tougher moments. But obviously, I’m still learning and taking lessons from those experiences.”

Despite criticism of his battles, Lawson doesn’t feel he overstepped: “Honestly, I don’t think I’ve changed at all. Maybe I just wasn’t on TV enough before or something like that, but fundamentally, this is how I’ve always raced.”

“The path to F1 often feels unfair, and I’ve always had to make the most of every opportunity. This time, I was lucky with the timing, so I went out there and raced exactly as I always have.”

The New Zealander remains cautious about his goals for his first full season: “I have to be realistic. You have to be realistic. I know I’m coming to a lot of circuits I’ve never raced on, and this will be my first complete season.”

“I don’t expect to be fighting with them to win races right away. But I do expect to perform and deliver the work the team requires of me. Obviously, I’m not here to lose either. I’m here for one reason only.”

Lawson isn’t concerned about the pressure he’ll face because he’s been under pressure since joining the academy: “I think the Red Bull environment over the past six years has always been about putting me under pressure. That’s how it started when I was 16 and they signed me.”

“Every two weeks, Helmut [Marko] would call me and say, ‘Do your job, or you’ll be fired.’ Moments like that, obviously, as a young driver, put a lot of pressure on you, and they really build you up for F1. So I feel like I’ve been developed for this opportunity.”