Liam Lawson: A Driver Worth Fighting For
Kayla Habeck
Photo Credit: Will Cornelius Photography
Liam Lawson
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Liam Lawson 〰️
Liam Lawson’s journey to Formula 1 is one I’ve followed closely for years. He’s proof that hard work, talent, and resilience can take you far—even when the odds are stacked against you. But despite showing exactly why he deserves a permanent seat in F1, he’s been met with roadblocks, doubts, and way too much unnecessary criticism.
I support Liam because he represents everything I love about motorsports: the drive to push through challenges, the humility to keep learning, and that fire to prove people wrong. His story deserves to be heard and celebrated, and now, more than ever, I want to make sure I’m using my platform to help tell it the right way.
Photo Credit: Liam Lawson Official Website
Breaking the “Impossible” Mindset
Liam grew up in New Zealand, a country where making it to F1 felt more like a fantasy than an actual career path. Even as a kid, he was told that his dream was out of reach.
"Since I was a kid, there’s always been this expectation in New Zealand that making it to Formula 1 is impossible."
It wasn’t just casual fans who believed this—even professional drivers he looked up to told him F1 wasn’t realistic for someone from New Zealand.
"When I was younger, I would meet drivers I looked up to—some of whom I won’t name—and they would often ask me, ‘What do you want to do when you’re older?’ I’d say, ‘I want to be a Formula 1 driver.’ Their response was always, ‘Oh, that’s impossible.’"
But Liam didn’t listen. Instead, he put in the work, climbed the junior ranks, and made it to Formula 1—proving that "impossible" was just an excuse. Now, he’s the one inspiring young drivers back home.
"Now, when I go to the go-kart track in New Zealand and talk to these 8-year-old kids, I ask them, ‘What do you want to race when you’re older?’ And they say, ‘Oh, I’d like to be a Formula 1 driver, but it’s impossible, so I’m going to try something else instead.’ And I think to myself, ‘You’re 8 years old! You can’t tell an 8-year-old what they can and can’t be.’"
He’s not just proving something to himself—he’s showing an entire generation of kids that F1 is possible.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Making His Mark in Formula 1
Liam finally got his shot at F1 in 2023 when he was thrown into the deep end at Zandvoort, replacing Daniel Ricciardo on short notice. No experience in the car, no time to prepare—just straight into one of the toughest tracks on the calendar in the middle of a rain-soaked weekend. And yet, he handled it like a veteran.
Then came Singapore. A notoriously difficult track, where even the best struggle. And what did Liam do? Scored points. That performance alone should have solidified his place on the 2024 grid, but instead, he found himself back on the sidelines, serving as a reserve driver. It’s frustrating, but if we’ve learned anything about Liam, it’s that he never stops fighting.
Lawson During the Dutch Grand Prix 2023 Photo Credit: Liam Lawson Official Website
The Person Behind the Helmet
Beyond his talent on track, Liam is just a genuinely good person. He carries himself with so much humility and never lets setbacks define him. He appreciates his supporters, stays focused on improving, and never forgets where he came from.
He’s also passionate about helping others break into the sport, especially women in motorsports. When asked about advice for women wanting to get involved, his answer was simple:
"If you want to be driving, if you want to be working in motorsport, I think it’s about reaching out—whether that’s to Red Bull New Zealand or to any of the teams. Just put yourself out there."
It’s that kind of mindset that makes him stand out. He doesn’t just talk about opportunities—he encourages people to go after them.
Photo Credit: Liam Lawson Official Website
Why I Support Liam Lawson
I’ve been a fan of Liam for a long time, and it’s not just because of his talent. It’s because of who he is, how he carries himself, and the way he constantly defies expectations. But lately, the amount of hate he’s been getting online has been ridiculous.
I don’t get it. Here’s a guy who proved he deserved an F1 seat, stepped up under insane pressure, and handled it like a pro—yet people are still doubting him? That’s exactly why I want to use my platform to push back against the negativity and highlight the incredible driver and person that he is.
Through fan-driven content, community engagement, and storytelling, I want to help grow his fanbase and show people why he’s worth supporting.
Photo Credit: Liam Lawson Official Instagram
This is Just the Beginning
Liam’s story is far from over. He’s already shown what he’s capable of, and I have no doubt that he’ll get another shot in F1. When that moment comes, he’s going to make it count—just like he always does.
Until then, I’ll keep doing what I can to support him, amplify his story, and remind people why Liam Lawson is a name they shouldn’t forget.
“I know that, for the first part of this year, I’ll be on tracks that I’ve never raced before. I’ve never completed a full season, either. The hardest thing is the F1 car, which can’t even compare to anything you race in F2; they go so fast that your brain can struggle to keep up with what you’re seeing. So I’m trying to do away with expectation. All I’m focused on is getting up to speed, and being the driver that my team needs me to be.”
-Liam Lawson GQ Austrailia