Liam Lawson Expresses Strong Future Interest in Supercars Amidst F1 Commitments

Liam Lawson, the promising Racing Bulls Formula 1 driver, has openly stated his profound interest in competing in the Supercars championship, Australia and New Zealand’s premier touring car series, at a future stage in his career. This declaration comes amidst recent speculation linking the New Zealander to an immediate Supercars debut and follows a growing trend of Formula 1 drivers diversifying their racing activities.

The discussion surrounding F1 drivers exploring alternative championships has gained traction, particularly with figures like reigning world champion Max Verstappen and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll recently venturing into GT racing. Verstappen, known for his passion for sim racing and diverse motorsport interests, competed in the Nürburgring 24h Qualifiers, while Stroll made his GT3 debut at Paul Ricard. These forays have been partially attributed to driver frustration with the anticipated technical regulations for the 2026 Formula 1 season, which are expected to bring significant changes to power unit and aerodynamic designs. Lawson, a highly-regarded talent within the Red Bull driver programme, has been mooted as another potential candidate to follow this path, albeit with a focus on Supercars.

Reports from the Australian outlet MotorRacing 360 recently suggested that Lawson had been approached by several Supercars teams. The proposition involved contesting the forthcoming New Zealand-based rounds in Taupo and/or Christchurch. The timing for such an outing appeared logistically feasible due to a scheduled break in the Formula 1 calendar during April, which coincided with the Supercars events. This led to a flurry of speculation among motorsport enthusiasts and media across Australasia, particularly given Lawson’s national heritage and the burgeoning excitement around the Supercars return to New Zealand.

However, Lawson, currently aged 24 and serving as a reserve driver for both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls, moved to clarify the situation during a media interaction, including with Motorsport. He expressed considerable surprise at the intensity of the rumours, indicating that any immediate plans were unfounded. "I landed in New Zealand, and my phone was blown up with, like, ‘oh Liam, you’re racing Supercars next week’," Lawson recounted. "And I was like, ‘I didn’t even know I was racing Supercars next week’. So, I don’t really know how everybody else seems to know that I’m racing a supercar next week. But yeah, it was a very cool idea."

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Despite the immediate denial, Lawson did not shy away from expressing his deep-seated admiration for the Supercars championship. He articulated a long-term ambition to participate in the series, albeit at a point when his primary focus is not solely on Formula 1. "It’s obviously a series that I’ve grown up watching, and I would love to do it at some point for sure," he affirmed. "Obviously, when my life is not so focused on one thing, maybe, and I can actually put the time in to prepare for it would be cool. But yeah, obviously no real truth to that one." This statement underscores the rigorous demands of Formula 1, which necessitates undivided attention and extensive preparation, leaving little room for parallel competitive endeavours without significant compromise.

Lawson’s enthusiasm for Supercars stems from a lifelong connection to the series, which is renowned for its fiercely competitive V8-powered touring cars. He highlighted specific characteristics that appeal to him: "Supercars, especially, is something I’ve grown up watching and I think the series is amazing. They do such a good job to keep the cars raw, they still have V8s naturally aspirated, they have sequential gearboxes which they’re not going away from, they’re not going towards paddle shifts and other things." He further praised the series’ self-management and the consistently high quality of racing it delivers. "They’re managing everything themselves and I think that’s just such a cool thing and the racing has been really, really good as well. So I like the series a lot, it’s something I would love to do. I’ve driven the car a couple of times and just had a blast."

Lawson’s career trajectory demonstrates a remarkable versatility and adaptability across various motorsport disciplines. Prior to his Formula 1 debut, he achieved significant success in other highly competitive championships. In 2021, he finished as runner-up in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) with AF Corse, driving a Ferrari. His DTM season was marked by strong performances, though the championship finale saw him controversially lose the title to Maximilian Götz. In 2023, he again secured a runner-up position in Japan’s prestigious Super Formula series with Team Mugen, showcasing his ability to quickly adapt to diverse machinery and racing environments. Furthermore, he claimed victory at the iconic New Zealand Grand Prix in 2019, an event with a rich history of fostering future F1 stars.

When queried about his interest in pursuing more racing opportunities outside of Formula 1, Lawson reiterated his positive experiences. "Definitely, I’ve done it in the past and loved it. I think always having that level of adaptability is good, I’m lucky that I’ve had the opportunity to do that since I was very young." He contrasted the driving styles, noting the greater scope for aggressive manoeuvres in touring car racing. "[A driver can] be a bit more aggressive, throw some dive bombs, slam some doors, stuff like that, something we can’t do too much in Formula 1. So it was good fun." This desire for varied challenges extends beyond circuit racing, as Lawson also enjoys riding dirt bikes, highlighting a broader passion for high-octane activities.

The prospect of an F1 driver of Lawson’s calibre competing in Supercars holds immense appeal for fans and the series alike. His current commitments with Racing Bulls and his ultimate ambition to secure a full-time Formula 1 seat mean that any Supercars outing would necessitate careful planning and likely occur during an extended off-season or later in his career. The physical and mental demands of Formula 1, combined with extensive simulator work, travel, and media obligations, make it challenging for active F1 drivers to dedicate the necessary time to master a completely different racing discipline like Supercars, which features heavier cars with distinct handling characteristics and a unique race craft.

While an immediate Supercars debut for Liam Lawson remains off the cards, his candid expression of desire firmly places the Australian touring car series on his long-term radar. This aligns with a broader trend in elite motorsport where drivers seek diverse challenges and opportunities to showcase their talent beyond their primary championship, ultimately enriching the global motorsport landscape.

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Jonas Leo: 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.