The need for speed - the rise of F1 driver Liam Lawson

By Dan Gilhooly

Whenever Liam Lawson returns to New Zealand for a break from the motor racing circuits of the world, he seeks down time by jumping on a jetski.

That says it all about the 22-year-old adrenaline junkie from Pukekohe, whose permanent high-octane setting has led to a second short-term Formula One driving contract - which this time he hopes will turn into a full-time seat.

Lawson was confirmed on Friday to race in the Red Bull-owned RB team for the remaining six races this season, replacing Australian veteran Daniel Ricciardo.

But having spent 17 years of his life negotiating the highs, pitfalls and politics of competing on four wheels, Lawson knows better than anyone he will need to perform to earn a full-time gig in 2025.

So what do we know about the blond-haired Kiwi speed machine?

Destiny

Lawson's father Jared said throughout childhood, his son rarely veered from a stated goal - to become a motor racing professional.

It is little wonder.

Born in Hastings as one of five siblings, Lawson's family then moved close to the famed Pukekohe Raceway.

Encouraged by parents Jared and Kirsty, Lawson was racing a kart from age 7 and his talent became obvious as the titles racked up, including a championship series in the F1600 series at just 15.

He won 14 of 15 races to become the youngest champion in not just the series' history, but the youngest ever Formula Ford champion in the world at the time.

Lawson finished his studies at Pukekohe High School in year 11, realising that to truly follow his dream, he would need to take a punt on a global lifestyle.

His parents dug deep and the late motorsport philanthropist Sir Colin Giltrap recognised talent when he saw it and began a long-term injection of funding support.

When Giltrap died in April this year, Lawson expressed sadness and said the popular businessman's support was integral to his career.

Turning point

Successful campaigns in Australia and Europe followed, before Lawson's brief return home in the summer of 2019 to contest the Toyota Racing Series (TRS).

It sparked a career turning point.

Highlands Motorsport Park on the outskirts of Cromwell was the unlikely setting when Lawson - fresh off a spectacular victory in his maiden race - was contacted by veteran former F1 driver Dr Helmut Marko.

The Austrian - head of Red Bull Racing's driver development programme - said Lawson's talent had not gone unnoticed and offered him a junior contract.

Lawson signed with the giant constructor on his 17th birthday and has not looked back.

He celebrated by going on win that season's TRS championship - heading off another rising Kiwi star, Marcus Armstrong - and took the chequered flag in the New Zealand Grand Prix.

Climbing the ranks

Red Bull set up drives in various European and Asian classes for Lawson, who experienced a lucky - and controversial - break midway through 2022.

Fellow-Red Bull junior driver Jüri Vips was suspended and investigated by team management after he was heard using a racial slur while playing a video game on Lawson's Twitch livestream.

Vips' contract was terminated and Lawson was promoted to become reserve driver for Red Bull Racing.

The next stroke of fortune came in August last year when Ricciardo broke a bone in his hand during practice for the Dutch Grand Prix, thrusting Lawson into his debut F1 drive for Red Bull-owned Alpha Tauri.

Lawson placed 13th in a promising first race and completed five GPs before Ricciardo returned to fitness, picking up his first points in Singapore when he qualified 10th on the grid and finished ninth.

Drive to Survive

Lawson's weeks as an F1 driver were covered in the mega-successful Netflix series Drive to Survive.

A compelling scene captured Lawson's reaction when Red Bull boss Christian Horner broke the news that he had not earned a full-time drive for 2024 and would remain the team's reserve.

Later the normally-unflappable Lawson was raw when asked for his reaction.

"It's tough knowing that I don't get the seat even though I've beaten a guy (Japanese RB driver Yuki Tsunoda) that's getting a seat," he said.

"I don't know how to f***ing answer that honestly because it's meant to be me, so ... obviously it's frustrating. There's a lot of things going on to be honest. I think emotionally and mentally, pretty draining yeah.

"But to be honest, it's been hard to actually enjoy it. Until I have that security or having that contract for a full-time seat, it's hard to really enjoy it."

Money

If Lawson achieves his ultimate goal and clinches a permanent F1 drive, he can expect a sizeable pay bump.

Estimates put the average pay for the 20 first-choice drivers at around $US13 million ($NZD20m) - with Dutch three-time defending world champion Max Verstappen said to be on up to $US70m.

Some of the lower-ranked performers are estimated to be paid a salary closer to $US1m, including Tsunoda.

Depending on their contracts, drivers reportedly earn bonuses based on wins or points earned, but those figures remain murky.