After an eventful Liam Lawson F1 2025 season filled with ups and downs, the New Zealand racing driver is taking time to recharge in his homeland, New Zealand. Fresh off his first full year in Formula 1, Lawson is spending a break with loved ones, including family, friends, and his partner Hannah, before preparations start again with pre-season testing in Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from January 26 to 30.
Charity Work and Community Involvement in New Zealand
Despite being on break, Lawson remains active within the local community, focusing his efforts on motorsport events with a charitable angle. He joined forces with Highlands Motorsport Park to auction off hot laps, helping to raise over $50,000 for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. The effort honored Louise Scott-Gallagher, a friend of CEO Josie Spillane, who lost her life to breast cancer at age 44.
Behind the wheel, Lawson showcased his skills in a Bathurst-winning Chevrolet Camaro Supercar that once belonged to fellow Kiwi driver Shane van Gisbergen. Built by Triple Eight Race Engineering and owned by Tony Quinn, this Camaro is Lawson’s second experience with a Gen3 Supercar, following previous laps in a Blanchard Racing Team Mustang at Albert Park in 2024. Sporting the Red Bull Ampol Racing 2025 livery, Lawson commented on the experience, stating,
Image of: Liam Lawson
“raw, very loud, and a lot of fun to drive,”
—Liam Lawson, Driver— noting the appeal of its three-pedal, sequential-shifter setup.
The Supercar event, alongside rides in an Aston Martin Vulcan and a Porsche GT3, contributed to the successful charity fundraiser, with Lawson directly participating in the action-packed day designed to benefit cancer research.
Supporting Local Motorsport and Enjoying Downtime
Lawson also threw his support behind the Supercars series at Highlands as New Zealand is set to host two Supercars rounds in 2026, with races planned for Taupō and Christchurch‘s Ruapuna circuit. Expressing his enthusiasm for local racing, Lawson remarked,
“It’s sick around this track as well, lots of kerbs, camber, stuff like that. It would be amazing to see them race here one day,”
—Liam Lawson, Driver.
Away from racing, Lawson’s down-to-earth approach shines through, as he enjoys golf, go-karting at Hampton Downs, motocross, and meaningful moments with family during Christmascelebrations. He also took the chance to reconnect with New Zealand motorsport legends Nick Cassidy and Greg Murphy, blending fun and relaxation with a shared love of speed.
Reflecting on an Unpredictable F1 Season
Discussing his F1 journey with Racingnews365, Lawson emphasized the emotional learning curve that came with the Liam Lawson F1 2025 season. Starting the year as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull, Lawson was moved to Racing Bulls after just two races, forcing him to swiftly adjust in high-pressure circumstances. Reflecting on this experience, he shared,
“But, yeah, to go through this many weekends and trying not to get stuck on something or caught up in emotion is very tough.”
—Liam Lawson, Driver.
Lawson demonstrated resilience after the early shift, notching up 38 points across 22 races, highlighted by a strong fifth place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. In comparison, Yuki Tsunoda, who swapped seats and later returned as Red Bull’s reserve driver, secured 30 points over the season. As the season neared its end and before the final round in Dubai, it was officially announced that Lawson would remain with Racing Bulls, joined by new teammate Arvid Lindblad, while Isack Hadjar earned a promotion to Red Bull’s main squad.
Support and Recognition from the Motorsport Community
Max Verstappen, speaking to Swedishoutlet Viaplay, acknowledged the challenges Lawson faced, especially the brief stint at Red Bull, stating,
“Because ultimately, someone is giving up their chance … yes, then you’re ruining [that chance] at a top team,”
—Max Verstappen, Driver— and shared his view that two races was not enough of an opportunity to fairly evaluate Lawson’s abilities.
Lawson continues to receive strong backing from New Zealand motorsport leaders. Josie Spillane, CEO of NextGen NZ Championship, praised him by saying,
“Liam is still the lad from Pukekohe who loves his home country, is a great ambassador for NZ motorsport, and loves to drive fast cars,”
—Josie Spillane, NextGen NZ Championship CEO. She added,
“Having him at Hampton Downs in January will be a fantastic opportunity for fans to meet him before he heads back to Europe for the new season.”
—Josie Spillane, NextGen NZ Championship CEO.
Looking to the Future: Motorsport and Community Engagement Ahead
Lawson’s schedule remains busy as he plans a guest appearance at Hampton Downs during Round 2 of the NextGen NZ Championship and participates in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy from January 9 to 11. Fans will have the chance to connect with him through autograph sessions, as Lawson maintains his commitment to the Tony Quinn Foundation, where he has served as an ambassador since 2021.
After a season filled with challenges and growth, Lawson’s break at home has allowed him to stay grounded, reconnect with his roots, and give back to the community that supports him. As pre-season testing in Spain approaches, the Kiwi driver is poised for another season at the summit of global motorsport, drawing from the experiences and support that only home can provide.
