Liam Lawson
A tenacious New Zealand driver who seized a surprise Formula 1 chance in 2023, instantly proving his speed and composure on the world's toughest stage.
Born 2002 (age 24)·New Zealand racing driver·Birthday: February 11·Generation Z
Biography
Liam Lawson's path to Formula One was a masterclass in preparation meeting opportunity. Hailing from Hastings, New Zealand, he cut his teeth in the demanding junior formulae, climbing the ladder with a consistent, polished aggression. His 2022 campaign in Japan's Super Formula championship—where he finished runner-up as a rookie—showcased a rare adaptability, mastering a powerful, tricky car on unfamiliar circuits. That versatility made him the perfect reserve driver for Red Bull's sister teams. When AlphaTauri's Daniel Ricciardo was injured in 2023, Lawson was thrust into the cockpit mid-season with zero testing. Unfazed, he scored points in only his third race in Singapore, outperforming his experienced teammate and delivering a string of mature drives that turned heads throughout the paddock. Though he began 2024 back in a reserve role, his brief but brilliant audition left no doubt that he possesses the raw talent and unflappable demeanor of a future full-time F1 star, biding his time for the next opening.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Liam was born in 2002, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Liam Was Born
The biggest hits of 2002
#1 Movie
Spider-Man
Best Picture
Chicago
#1 TV Show
Friends
Liam's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2002Born
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2007Started school
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2015Became a teenager
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Could drive
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2020Could vote
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2023Turned 21
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 24 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored his first Formula One championship points by finishing ninth at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix in only his third race start.
- Won the 2022 DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) championship, becoming the series' youngest ever champion.
- Finished as runner-up in the 2023 Super Formula Championship in Japan as a rookie, winning two races.
- Secured a full-time Formula 1 race seat with Racing Bulls for the 2025 season after his impressive substitute performances.
Did You Know?
He is the first New Zealander to score points in Formula One since Brendon Hartley in 2018.
He is a protege of the Red Bull Junior Team driver development program.
He won the 2019 Toyota Racing Series championship in New Zealand, a key feeder series.
He is an avid fan of rugby and supports the New Zealand All Blacks.
“You have to be ready when the phone rings, because you only get one shot.”
