Kiwi Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson has reflected on a "very special" and emotional moment, where he got to drive Bruce McLaren's Le Mans-winning car.
The Racing Bulls driver said he was shaking after getting behind the wheel of the No. 2 Ford GT40 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK – steering it along the event's famous hillclimb.
Lawson said the drive gave him "indescribable" feelings.
McLaren drove the car to victory in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. It's a car that was immortalised in the 2019 Oscar-winning film Ford vs Ferrari.
Ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, Lawson said driving the Kiwi legend's car was "very special".
"I probably won't ever have a feeling like that again in a race car," Lawson said.
"Motorsport in New Zealand and Formula 1 especially, there's a lot of history – it's been a long time since the success of those guys.
"For me, as a New Zealander growing up, learning about the history, working and having relationships, having mentors with people that were close or knew the families of Bruce, of Chris Amon. It's very, very cool."
Lawson has had a strong start to the F1 season and heads into this weekend's race with consistent points-scoring finishes. He has produced some of the best results and consistency among the drivers outside the big four teams. He currently sits 10th in the driver's championship.
He said the season had been "very good" and that he was feeling confident.
"I think it's just the progression. It's probably the most satisfying part.
"Just the fact that each sort of upgrade we're bringing, or each area we're focusing on, we're managing to execute and find those gains that we're searching for," he said.
Lawson said that while things were often uncontrollable in motorsport, "everything that's in my control, I'm trying to focus on, and it's been bringing results".
The first practice session of the Belgian Grand Prix starts tonight, with qualifying at 2am on Sunday and the race at 1am on Monday.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a strong quake rocks the south, and the rescue of a man stuck in a portaloo. (Source: Breakfast)
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