Liam Lawson amazed spectators at the Goodwood Festival of Speed by nearly matching the time of a professional rally driver during his very first attempt at rally driving. The New Zealander, primarily known for his role in Formula 1 with Red Bull’s junior team Racing Bulls, was tasked with completing five laps on the Goodwood Rally Stage in a rally car, a discipline he had never experienced before.
Lawson’s challenge involved driving a World Rally Championship (WRC) Rally 1 Ford Puma, one of the fastest rally cars in existence, and achieving a lap time within 15 seconds of a pro driver. Remarkably, he ended up just one second behind the benchmark time after five laps, demonstrating an impressive adaptability to rally conditions.
Background of Lawson’s challenge and the rally conditions
The Goodwood Rally Stage is a narrow course lined mostly with trees, presenting a demanding environment for any driver new to rallying. Josh McErlean, an M-Sport Ford rally driver, set the lap time that Lawson aimed to approach, completing the circuit in 2 minutes 26.75 seconds. Lawson’s initial passenger lap revealed the tricky nature of the course, with slippery surfaces and low grip posing unexpected challenges.
Lawson reflected on these difficulties describing the corners as “really, really loose” with significant pitch control required. The unfamiliarity with the high-performance rally car was evident early on, especially after a stall at the start of his first driving attempt. Despite these hurdles, his talent shone through quickly.
Rapid progress and near professional pace on the fifth lap
Starting his timed laps at Goodwood, Lawson recorded a 2:36.25 on his first try, which was already within ten seconds of McErlean’s professional time. Over the course of his laps, he steadily improved, shrinking the gap to only two seconds by his fourth lap. On his final timed lap, Lawson posted an impressive 2 minutes 27.25 seconds, falling just a fraction short of the professional rally driver‘s pace.
Lawson’s performance reflects substantial raw driving skill, particularly given his lack of prior rally experience, and highlights his ability to quickly adapt to a new and demanding motorsport discipline.
Connections between Red Bull, Ford, and Lawson’s motorsport career
The collaboration between Red Bull and Ford, established in the World Rally Championship, is expanding into Formula 1 with a new power unit set to debut in 2026. Lawson, currently a key driver for Red Bull’s junior F1 outfit Racing Bulls, is part of this broader partnership, which connects rally expertise and F1 technology.
This event at Goodwood illustrates the crossover potential for drivers like Lawson within the Red Bull and Ford alliance, offering him opportunities to develop skills beyond traditional circuit racing.
Lawson reflects on the intense experience and future prospects
Speaking about the rally car, Lawson said,
“I’ve never had a feeling like that from a race car. This is so much fun,”
capturing the adrenaline-fueled nature of rally driving. He added,
“You can’t help it, the adrenaline kick… Mate, unbelievable.”
These comments highlight his immediate connection with the sport despite being a newcomer.
After a tough start to his recent F1 season, including a demotion from Red Bull’s main team after two rounds, Lawson’s strong recovery in the Racing Bulls team is evident through his consistent points scoring. His ability to handle the challenge at Goodwood points to a versatile driving talent and suggests he could become a prominent figure in rallying, as well as continuing his F1 career.
Significance of Lawson’s Goodwood performance for his motorsport trajectory
Liam Lawson’s near-professional times in rally driving after only five laps underscore his exceptional adaptability and skill. This achievement not only enhances his reputation within Red Bull’s motorsport programs but also opens the door to potential future ventures in rally racing. The collaboration between Red Bull and Ford may provide further opportunities to develop his abilities across different racing disciplines, possibly influencing his career path moving forward.
His performance at Goodwood serves as a strong statement about his versatility and determination, qualities that will be watched closely as he continues competing in Formula 1 and explores new challenges within motorsport.
