New Zealand’s Liam Lawson secured his career-best F1 finish during the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, showcasing resilience under grueling 30-degree Celsius heat. Lawson’s impressive sixth place was not just a personal milestone but also a standout performance for a Kiwi driver in decades. The achievement came amid a harsh physical toll, as revealed by an unbroadcast radio exchange with his engineer indicating he had not taken any fluids throughout the entire 70-lap race.
Austria Marks Lawson’s Breakthrough Following Early Season Struggles
Lawson’s journey to this landmark result followed a difficult start to the 2025 Formula 1 season. Initially promoted to Red Bull Racing from their junior team after Daniel Ricciardo’s departure, the New Zealander faced setbacks that led to a mid-season seat swap with Yuki Tsunoda. The move back to the Racing Bulls outfit seemed to revitalize Lawson, culminating in his standout qualifying effort where he reached Q3 and earned a sixth-place starting position on race day.
Contrary to expectations that Lawson might lose positions early on, he maintained his grid slot ahead of former world championship contender Fernando Alonso. The opening lap nearly ended in disaster when Kimi Antonelli’s late braking mistake at Turn 3 forced a collision with Max Verstappen, eliminating both frontrunners. Lawson escaped unharmed, setting the stage for a carefully managed race focused on maintaining pace and tyre life.
Throughout the race, Alonso closely shadowed Lawson but was unable to overtake, hampered by Lawson’s tactical one-stop strategy that proved effective against most rivals who chose multiple pit stops. Gabriel Bortoleto pressured Alonso behind but could not close the gap, ensuring Lawson remained the last driver on the lead lap and finished just over five seconds behind fifth-place George Russell, who had won the Canadian GP earlier in the year.
Physical Toll and Team Communication Reveal Hidden Challenge
Post-race communication between Lawson and his race engineer Ernesto Derniderio exposed the hidden personal cost of his performance. The New Zealander admitted over radio that he had not consumed any fluids during the entire race – an unusual and risky decision given the intense heat and demanding physical exertion. Derniderio joked about the need to hydrate after the race, highlighting the tough conditions Lawson endured to secure the result.
“Yes mate, P6, P6.”
—Ernesto Derniderio, Engineer
“Yeah copy man, well done.”
—Liam Lawson, Driver
“What a weekend, amazing man.”
—Ernesto Derniderio, Engineer
“Are you still with us Liam? Say something so we know you’re alive.”
—Ernesto Derniderio, Engineer
“I’m here mate, I’m here, I’m alive.”
—Liam Lawson, Driver
“Remember to drink.”
—Ernesto Derniderio, Engineer
“I didn’t drink all race.”
—Liam Lawson, Driver
“Well, we’ll definitely have something to drink tonight. Maybe a Red Bull.”
—Ernesto Derniderio, Engineer
“Thank you for all the hard work, guys.”
—Liam Lawson, Driver
Significance of Lawson’s Performance Within Kiwi Motorsport History
Finishing sixth at the Austrian GP not only marked Lawson’s career-best F1 finish but also the highest placing by a New Zealand driver since Chris Amon’s fifth place in the 1976 Spanish Grand Prix. This long-awaited top result signals a resurgence for Kiwi talent in Formula 1.
Lawson acknowledged the historic nature of his achievement with pride, emphasizing the importance for New Zealand’s motorsport future and encouraging the development of upcoming Kiwi drivers.
“It’s been an incredibly tough year,
—Liam Lawson, Driver
To finally have a result is amazing, but we need to obviously keep doing this as well.”
—Liam Lawson, Driver
“There’s a few Kiwis coming up as well, and hopefully in the future we can have some more of them.”
—Liam Lawson, Driver
Context of Lawson’s 2025 Season and Team Dynamics
The 2025 season began with Lawson promoted to Red Bull’s senior team based on a promising finish to 2024. However, early race difficulties led to the swap with Yuki Tsunoda, pushing Lawson back to the Racing Bulls development lineup. Before Austria, Lawson’s best finish had been an eighth place in Monaco, while team-mate Isack Hadjar, the Frenchman, had scored points on five occasions, including a consistent run from Monaco onward.
Lawson’s sixth place at the Red Bull Ring was an outlier in performance between the two teammates, delivered through a smart one-stop strategy that contrasted with the majority of the field’s two-stop plans. This tactical choice enabled him to manage tyres effectively while keeping pace under intense pressure from Alonso and others.
Looking Forward: Implications for Lawson’s Rising Career
Lawson’s breakthrough result at the Austrian Grand Prix signals a turning point in what has been a challenging yet promising Formula 1 career. Demonstrating both competitive pace and racecraft under severe physical conditions, he has positioned himself as a driver capable of strong performances in the sport’s top tier alongside established names such as George Russell and Fernando Alonso.
The result also underscores Red Bull’s continuing investment in Kiwi talent, as Lawson’s progress offers hope for greater New Zealand representation on the F1 grid. With upcoming Kiwi drivers in the pipeline, Lawson’s success may inspire further development and opportunities within the racing community.
