As Liam Lawson prepares to take the wheel for his Formula 1 race debut with Red Bull Racing, one thing remains clear: the 23-year-old Kiwi’s journey to motorsport’s biggest stage has been defined by grit, hard work, and a family’s unwavering support.
1News Sports Reporter Michelle Prendiville sat down with Lawson’s parents, Jared and Kristy, in Melbourne ahead of today's Grand Prix. For them, it’s a surreal moment — a culmination of years of sacrifice and dedication.
"Here we are in Melbourne, ready to go," Jared said, reflecting on their journey. "I was walking around yesterday, and we passed a 7-Eleven. There’s this ginormous poster of Liam and Max [Verstappen], and Liam making this bull-looking face, and I'm like, 'Oh my God, it’s real'.”
It's been a turbulent start to his first weekend as a Red Bull driver. Issues in practice resulted in a lack of running. Lawson was one of the first drivers to be knocked out in qualifying.
All eyes are on Lawson as he prepares to hit the track for the race that will truly define his entry into the elite world of Formula 1.
For Kristy, emotions are running high. “Oh, so nervous. Nervous for him... that it goes well.
"What will be, will be. But I have faith he can do it — he deserves to be here. He’s proven himself every time, at every turn.”
Jared shares her sentiment, while also acknowledging the steep learning curve ahead. “He knows he’s got a big mountain to climb. Like the last couple of years, jumping in cold. This time, it’s about going to a couple of new tracks he hasn't done before and getting up to speed.”
Sacrifice and Support
The journey to Formula 1 wasn’t without its challenges. The Lawsons made immense sacrifices to help their son chase his dream, even selling their family home to fund Liam’s career.
"It was hard. It wasn’t easy," Jared admitted. "But I think, when you're with a sportsperson who's getting to an elite sort of level over the years, it’s never easy for any family, I don't think. You can’t say no."
Kristy and Jared are often reminded of their son’s determination, which has been evident since childhood. They recently reminisced about a school project where a six-year-old Liam drew his future self as none other than an F1 driver.
"It’s crazy," Jared said. "If you think about it too much, it just blows your mind."
From Kart Tracks to Grand Prix Dreams
Seventeen years of kart tracks, countless race meets, and globe-trotting competitions have led to this moment. For Jared, the memories of their early days in the sport still linger.
"We used to do the old fist bump," he recalled. "Now, he’s looking in the rearview mirror as he’s pulling out of the garage to see his parents. It’s kind of like that."
As Liam Lawson steps onto the world stage, it’s not just his dream coming to life — it’s a testament to a family’s belief and a young man’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
Today the dream becomes reality.
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