Liam Lawson has already started his Formula 1 reserve driver commitments with the soon-to-be-renamed AlphaTauri team, test driving for them in Italy this week.
The 21-year-old is preparing for a very different year on the motorsport world stage where for the first time since he was six years old, the Kiwi driver won't be racing in a competition programme.
"It does feel crazy. It feels almost less pressure," said Lawson.
"Not having a racing programme is a very different thing. In the Red Bull programme, you are always being evaluated no matter how good your last season was. Obviously, I'm always proving myself, but I don't have a series that I'm going to go into so everything I'm going to be judged on is already done now — it's a waiting game."
1News caught up with Lawson while he was at a sponsor's day with leading backer Rodin Motorsport.
Lawson has been enjoying his time back in New Zealand for a summer break. It's the first time he's been home with the new title of "Formula 1 driver".
"It's been a little bit different coming home this time compared to previous times," said Lawson. "We're not there yet, we are close, but the goal is to show everyone that it is possible."
After five starts for AlphaTauri last year, Lawson is out to show Kiwi drivers if they can dream it, they can be it.
Rodin Motorsport chief executive Dave Dicker said Lawson is showing his other drivers the F1 dream is possible.
Up and coming Kiwi driver Louis Sharp, who is also backed by Rodin Motorsport, wants to emulate what Lawson is achieving.
"Knowing how fit and how strong he is, it gives me a good indication of what I need to be a Formula 1 driver," Sharp said.
Sharp is the current Formula 4 champion and trains with Lawson in the UK.
Lawson said he and Sharp sometimes have "little races together" as they run through exercises.
"He's ultra-competitive," Lawson said.
"Obviously I want to beat him," Sharp said, "but the last time I went a little too hard and ended up throwing up afterwards!"
Lawson is set to train even harder this year when he carries out his F1 reserve driver duties which include observing, testing and simulator work.
The goal to impress Red Bull bosses and land a full-time seat for 2025.
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