RACING BULLS // CAR #30 // NZL

LIAM
LAWSON
car 30

New Zealand's flag bearer in F1. Lawson moved back to Racing Bulls after a brief Red Bull stint.

Titles: 0
Race wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Poles: 0

THE SECOND CHANCE

Promoted, dropped, and back to prove it.

By the iGR Paddock desk · Reviewed 03/06/2026 · Data via Formula 1, jolpica-f1 and OpenF1

Liam Lawson got the biggest seat in F1, then lost it after two races. Now he is rebuilding.

The New Zealander made his name as a sharp stand-in for Red Bull's junior team in 2023, covering for an injured driver and impressing right away. He earned a full promotion to the senior Red Bull team for 2025 alongside Max Verstappen. It is the hardest seat in the sport, and it went wrong fast.

After just two races, Red Bull demoted him back to Racing Bulls and replaced him with Yuki Tsunoda. It was a brutal blow. Lawson steadied himself and finished the season as a solid midfield racer. For 2026 he stays at Racing Bulls as the experienced head, guiding rookie Arvid Lindblad and trying to win back the trust he lost.

For the fans

Lawson is a gritty competitor who was handed a rough deal. His fightback from a public demotion is the kind of redemption story that pulls you in.

Punter's angle

Lawson is the experienced driver in his pairing, so beat-rookie-teammate should be a market in his favour, at least early. For points props, back him only at tracks that suit Racing Bulls. His season is about consistency, which is what punters should look for before staking.

02 / 04 // FACTS

The file.

Born: 11/02/2002Hastings, NZ
Nationality: New Zealand
Career starts: 18
Fastest laps: 0

03 / 04 // TEAM

In the car.

Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One TeamHonda RBPT · founded 2024 · Faenza

21PTS

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BIOGRAPHY

In their own words.

Liam Lawson (born 11 February 2002) is a New Zealand racing driver, who competes in Formula One for Racing Bulls. Born in Hastings and raised in Pukekohe, Lawson began competitive kart racing aged seven. Lawson—who is mentored by three-time New Zealand Grand Prix winner Ken Smith—graduated to junior formulae in 2015, winning his first title in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship as a privateer. He finished runner-up in the 2017 Australian F4, 2018 ADAC F4 and 2019 Euroformula Open championships, before winning the Toyota Racing Series in 2019 with M2. Lawson then progressed to FIA Formula 3 in 2020 before moving to FIA Formula 2 in 2021, where he placed third the following season with Carlin. He also competed in the 2021 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for Red Bull AF Corse alongside Alex Albon, finishing runner-up to Maximilian Götz amidst a controversial finale. Lawson then competed in the 2023 Super Formula Championship, finishing runner-up to Ritomo Miyata with Mugen. A member of the Red Bull Junior Team since 2019, Lawson was a reserve driver for both Red Bull and AlphaTauri—later known as RB—from 2022 to 2024. Lawson made his Formula One debut at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, replacing an injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri for five Grands Prix in 2023, scoring his maiden points finish in Singapore. He replaced Ricciardo full-time at the re-branded RB in 2024 from the United States Grand Prix onwards. Lawson was promoted to a full-time drive with parent team Red Bull for his 2025 campaign, replacing Sergio Pérez to partner Max Verstappen. Lawson was set to contracted to remain at Red Bull until at least the end of the 2025 season, but following the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, he was dropped back to Racing Bulls for the remainder of the season, with Yuki Tsunoda promoted to his position.

FAQ

Quick questions.

How old is Liam Lawson?

24 years old. Born 11/02/2002 in Hastings, NZ.

How many F1 wins does Lawson have?

0 race wins across 18 career starts, with 0 podium finishes and 0 pole positions.

What team does Lawson drive for?

Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team. Car number 30. Open team profile.

Where can I bet on Lawson podium finishes?

We compare Lawson podium markets across our SA partner books on every race preview page. Open Punters Edge hub.

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