Off the Grid with Liam Lawson: A Glimpse into Life Beyond the Track

In the latest episode of F1 TV's _Off the Grid_, Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson opens the doors to his world away from the track.

Liam Lawson may not have reached the 50-race milestone yet, but his presence on the Formula 1 grid seems well-established. Though his career has been rather sporadic, with starts and stops over four years, the New Zealander has made a mark.

Lawson first stepped into the F1 spotlight as Daniel Ricciardo's substitute at AlphaTauri in 2023. His initial stint was brief, just five races, before he found himself back on the sidelines. It wasn't until late the following year that he returned, once again filling in for Ricciardo.

In 2025, Lawson experienced a whirlwind promotion to Red Bull, only to be returned to Racing Bulls after two races. Still, his resilience paid off, earning him a full-time drive in 2026. This season, he's scored in eight of the eleven Grands Prix, proving his mettle.

Lawson's journey from New Zealand to the elite world of Formula 1 is a tale of sacrifice and determination. His parents sold their home to fund his karting ambitions, while his siblings shelved their own dreams to support his. "My parents sold the house when I was go-kart racing," Lawson recalls. "Everybody sacrificed a lot, like family holidays. My sisters both danced internationally and they stood down as well."

Despite his father's lack of motorsport knowledge, he played a crucial role in Lawson's early development. "My dad didn't understand motorsport at all," Lawson shares. "He taught me how to drive, and he's a terrible driver! We'd go out in the rain; he'd stand on a corner and tell me to brake where he stood. Every lap, he'd step back until I went off the end of the straight. Then he'd move forward and say, 'Okay, that's where you brake!'"

At 16, Lawson moved to Europe to chase single-seater opportunities, finishing second in German F4 in 2018. Joining the Red Bull Junior Programme the following year gave him a clearer path to F1.

In 2023, a stint in Japan's Super Formula series had him vying for the championship until a crash at Motegi caused him to question his future in F1. "It was the first time I doubted getting to Formula 1," Lawson admits. "It was nearing the end of the year, and I wasn't hearing much. For the first time, I felt it might not happen."

A pivotal moment came when Lawson, determined to secure his future, confronted Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko at the Dutch Grand Prix. "I decided to sit down with Helmut and press him, find out what he was thinking," Lawson explains. "I said, 'Why won't you give me a chance? You've invested all this money in me. What's the point?'"

Fate intervened when Ricciardo crashed during practice, injuring his hand. Lawson was on standby but not the guaranteed choice. "It wasn't a straight cut: 'Liam's going to be in the car,'" he recalls. "I went to Helmut, and he asked, 'Are you ready?' I said, 'Yep.' That was the conversation."

Lawson made an impression during his five-race stint, even outperforming four-time World Champion Max Verstappen in Singapore qualifying. Despite his success, he was benched when Ricciardo returned.

Lawson kept pushing, speaking with Marko and Red Bull boss Christian Horner, asking for his chance. It finally came in Austin when Red Bull opted to replace Ricciardo with Lawson for the rest of the season.

Did he feel conflicted about taking Ricciardo's seat? "I never did," Lawson states. "As much as it sucks, we're all fighting for these seats. There's nothing personal. When you're fighting for your career, it's everything."

Away from the racetrack, Lawson is just as passionate about dirt biking. A visit to his home reveals his love for the sport, with a personal track back in New Zealand. "I ride for a couple of hours, go to the gym, go back, ride for a couple of hours," he says. "It's so much fun, living my best life, honestly."