Jonas Leo
Liam Lawson, the promising Racing Bulls Formula 1 driver, recently recounted an "indescribable" and profoundly emotional experience behind the wheel of the iconic #2 Ford GT40 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, an event that left the young New Zealander visibly "shaking" with awe. The rare opportunity saw Lawson pilot the very machine his fellow countryman and motorsport titan, Bruce McLaren, drove to a historic victory at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Taking on Goodwood’s renowned hillclimb, Lawson articulated a deep connection to the car and its legacy.
"My hands are still shaking. Very, very special, obviously, a lot of New Zealand history in this car," Lawson stated from the cockpit of the legendary Ford after completing his run. The profound resonance of the moment was evident as he reflected on a prior encounter with the model. "I got to drive a road-going GT40 last year, and the whole time, all I could think about was this car." This earlier experience, while significant, evidently paled in comparison to the visceral connection with the actual Le Mans-winning chassis.
The chance to drive the revered vehicle was, remarkably, a last-minute addition to Lawson’s demanding weekend schedule at Goodwood. "I didn’t expect to come here and drive it," he revealed, detailing the impromptu nature of the opportunity. "I saw it today, and I asked. I said, ‘Can I please? That’d be really, really special.’ And the owner was kind enough to let me drive it. So, very, very special." This spontaneous request underscores the deep personal significance the car held for Lawson, transcending his professional duties. When questioned whether the drive fulfilled a personal ambition, Lawson emphatically confirmed, "100%. That’s why everyone’s out of their cars, and I’m still sitting in there, so I’m probably going to stay in here for a little bit." His reluctance to exit the vehicle further highlighted the indelible impact of the experience.
Lawson elaborated on the unique sensory immersion of driving such a historic machine. "The feeling you get when driving a car like this is completely… It’s indescribable. It’s not like anything that we drive currently: the vibration, the frequency, the noise." The analogue, raw mechanical feedback contrasted sharply with the highly refined, digitally controlled environments of modern racing cars. Despite being given an RPM limit, Lawson admitted to the irresistible allure of the engine’s symphony. "I was given an RPM limit not to go over, but you can’t help yourself. I didn’t go over it too much. You just can’t help yourself when it starts coming up in the upper [rev range], when the car just starts singing, and it’s incredible. It was very enjoyable for me." This candid admission offers insight into the pure, unadulterated joy derived from interacting with a piece of motorsport history.
Related News :
- All Eleven 2026 Formula 1 Contenders Make Public Debut in Bahrain Pre-Season Testing
- Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur Backs Drivers’ Right to Critical Expression Amidst Chairman’s Concerns
- Steiner Dismisses Verstappen to Mercedes as Unlikely, Citing Wolff’s Strategic Acumen
- F1’s Evolving Technical Landscape: 2026 Regulations Intensify Exploitation Challenges for Customer Teams
- Montoya Advocates for F1 Track Limits Revision Following Antonelli’s Silverstone Penalty
The vehicle in question, the #2 Ford GT40 Mk.II, holds an almost mythical status in motorsport lore. Its victory at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon, was a watershed moment. It marked the first time an American manufacturer had won the grueling endurance race, breaking Ferrari’s dominance and fulfilling Henry Ford II’s ambition to beat Enzo Ferrari at his own game. The GT40 program itself was an ambitious undertaking, born from Ford’s failed attempt to purchase Ferrari and its subsequent determination to conquer Le Mans. The Mk.II, powered by a massive 7.0-litre (427 cu in) V8 engine, was specifically developed for the high-speed demands of the Circuit de la Sarthe. The 1966 race culminated in a dramatic 1-2-3 finish for Ford, orchestrated to provide a photo-finish spectacle, although controversies surrounding the actual winning margin between the #2 and #1 cars persisted for decades.
For Liam Lawson, the connection to Bruce McLaren is particularly poignant. Both are New Zealanders who have risen through the ranks of international motorsport. Bruce McLaren, born in Auckland in 1937, was not only a formidable driver but also a visionary engineer and team founder. He established Bruce McLaren Motor Racing in 1963, a team that would go on to become one of the most successful in Formula 1 history, McLaren Racing. His Le Mans victory in 1966, achieved with fellow Kiwi Chris Amon, cemented his place as a national hero and a global motorsport icon. Lawson’s drive in McLaren’s victorious GT40 therefore represents a direct link to his nation’s rich racing heritage, a passing of the torch, albeit symbolically, from one generation of Kiwi racing talent to the next.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed, where this momentous drive took place, is itself a celebration of motorsport’s past, present, and future. Held annually on the grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex, England, it features historic racing cars, motorcycles, and contemporary machinery tackling the famous 1.16-mile hillclimb. The event attracts an unparalleled collection of legendary vehicles and drivers from across various disciplines, offering a unique opportunity for fans to witness these machines in action. The presence of the Le Mans-winning GT40 at Goodwood is always a major draw, allowing new generations to appreciate its significance.
Liam Lawson’s own career trajectory positions him as one of motorsport’s most promising talents. Currently serving as a reserve driver for Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls), he made his Formula 1 debut in 2023, deputising for the injured Daniel Ricciardo. His performances, most notably securing a ninth-place finish at the Singapore Grand Prix, demonstrated his composure, speed, and racecraft under pressure. Lawson’s junior career included stints in Formula 2 and a successful campaign in Japan’s Super Formula series, where he finished second in the championship in 2023, further solidifying his credentials for a full-time F1 seat. His current role with Racing Bulls involves extensive simulator work and occasional Free Practice appearances, keeping him sharp and integrated into the pinnacle of motorsport. While his immediate F1 future remains a topic of speculation, his consistent performance and dedication continue to make a strong case for a permanent position.
The contrast between the visceral, mechanical nature of the GT40 and the sophisticated, hybrid-powered complexity of a modern Formula 1 car could not be starker. While an F1 car represents the absolute cutting edge of automotive engineering, designed for maximum downforce and precision, the GT40 embodies a more raw, analogue driving experience, where power, torque, and mechanical grip are paramount. For a driver like Lawson, accustomed to the instantaneous responses and immense g-forces of an F1 machine, the GT40 offered a unique perspective on the evolution of racing technology and the timeless thrill of pure speed. His comments on the car’s "vibration, the frequency, the noise" underscore this fundamental difference, highlighting a connection to the machine that is perhaps less filtered than in contemporary racing.
In conclusion, Liam Lawson’s encounter with Bruce McLaren’s Le Mans-winning Ford GT40 at Goodwood was more than just a driving experience; it was a profound moment of historical and national connection. For a young driver with aspirations at the highest levels of motorsport, it offered a tangible link to a legendary past, reminding him of the roots of his sport and the giants who paved the way. The raw emotion and genuine awe expressed by Lawson underscore the enduring power of these iconic machines and the legacies they carry, bridging generations of racing heroes from New Zealand and beyond.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
Latest entries
F1July 15, 2026Liam Lawson ‘Shaking’ After Immersive Drive in Bruce McLaren’s Legendary Le Mans-Winning Ford GT40 at Goodwood
F1July 15, 2026Global F1 Sponsor Heineken Offers Unprecedented Full-Season Access for One Fortunate Fan in 2027
F1July 15, 2026Pirelli’s Motorsport Head Details F1 Tyre Strategy, Wheel-Rim Innovation, and Future Challenges Through 2028.
F1July 14, 2026Alpine F1 Driver Pierre Gasly Debuts Electric A110 Future Prototype at Goodwood with Duke of Richmond
Ali Akbar Rosady
arthur roy sitompul
Anshari Taslim
rifan muazin