How one big overtake changed Liam Lawson's life
Today at 05:24 AM
Sometimes, one moment can change everything. For Liam Lawson, that moment came in a winter series race down in New Zealand in early 2019.
The backdrop for the Kiwi's remarkable story was a round of the Toyota Racing Series in which a daring overtake by Lawson caught the attention of Red Bull motorsport advisor Liam Lawson.
Six years on, the talented 22-year-old is preparing to race alongside Max Verstappen in Formula 1.
Back Against the Wall: The Crucial Winter Series
In 2018, Lawson's racing future looked bleak. After finishing as runner-up in the German Formula 4 championship, the young teenage driver had no racing contract for the following year.
With no money, no opportunities in Europe, and no seat in Formula 3, Lawson returned home to participate in the junior series supported by Toyota, a competition that became his last chance.
Speaking on the Pitstop podcast, Lawson recounted his mindset going into that pivotal championship.
"My story is crazy, the way that everything worked out for me from when I was young. I'm extremely lucky," he said, reflecting on how that moment would become the foundation of his career.
The Toyota Racing Series, held over five intense weeks during New Zealand's summer, had been a proving ground for many top drivers, including Lando Norris and Lance Stroll.
Back then, it gave the 16-year-old from Pukekohe a final shot to make an impression.
"It's five weeks in a row of racing in New Zealand in summertime, in cars that are quite similar to F3," he explained.
"It's in the middle of winter time over here [in Europe], so nobody's doing anything here, so everyone just goes there and uses it as a test programme for five weeks as a championship to race in."
But for Lawson, it wasn't just a stepping stone – it was his make-or-break moment.
"I knew that this was my last shot really because we had no plan for 2019, no money to go to F3, there [were] no seats left. So I went into this championship like, 'I've got to somehow pull something out of this.'"
The Moment That Caught Helmut Marko's Eye
Lawson's talent and determination shone through right away, but it was one bold, perfectly executed overtake that turned heads—especially that of Helmut Marko, who was watching closely.
"After the first weekend, we had the contract from Red Bull," Lawson revealed. "It was from an overtake; it literally was one big overtake I did on somebody, and the next day we had the contract."
This wasn't a random stroke of luck. Lawson's teammate during the series was Lucas Auer, a Red Bull Junior driver at the time, which meant Marko had already been following the series' events.
"Lucas Auer was doing it, and he was a Red Bull Junior at the time," Lawson said.
"And I remember, he was my teammate, so we rocked up to the first round, and I saw his Red Bull helmet sitting [there] and I was like, 'Oh my God, that's so cool – Red Bull driver, Red Bull helmet.'
"So [Marko] would have been watching because Lucas was racing in it, so he watched it and sent through a contract."
What Lawson thought was an impossible dream became reality in February 2019, as he signed with the Red Bull Junior Team. From there, his career took off.
Rising Through the Ranks to Formula 1
Joining the Red Bull Junior Team set Lawson on a remarkable trajectory. He climbed the ladder through Formula 3, Formula 2, and Super Formula, becoming a standout talent.
Alongside his racing duties, Lawson served as a test and reserve driver for Red Bull Racing, gaining invaluable experience in the F1 paddock.
Lawson's Formula 1 debut came under unexpected circumstances in 2023 when he stepped in for an injured Daniel Ricciardo, racing across five Grands Prix and proving himself a capable and adaptable driver.
He returned to the seat in 2024 when Ricciardo exited the team, continuing to impress with his consistency and racecraft.
Now, in 2025, Liam Lawson will fulfill his ultimate dream: racing for Red Bull Racing as a full-time driver alongside reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook
The post How one big overtake changed Liam Lawson's life appeared first on F1i.com.
