Kiwi teenager highly likely to drive in Toyota Racing Series

Promising Kiwi teenage racer Liam Lawson looks set to be the star attraction in this summer’s Toyota Racing Series.

The 16-year-old from Pukekohe is enjoying a successful winter racing in the German Formula 4 Championship, following in the footsteps of fellow Kiwi Marcus Armstrong.

Armstrong competed in Germany last year and spent the past two summers as the leading Kiwi in the fiveround Toyota Racing Series before competing in the European Formula 3 Championship this year.

Lawson was ready to race in New Zealand’s premier single-seater category last summer but was not quite old enough to be allowed to compete.

He admitted it is highly likely he will drive in the series this summer, though.

“We are working on that hard at the moment,” Lawson told the Weekend Herald. “I would really like to be racing in that series.

“Last year, I got ruled out because of my age, but this year is definitely on the cards and we are working towards that right now.”

Series manager Nicolas Caillol has been travelling to Europe and the United States in recent weeks as the series starts to assemble a grid.

Historically some of the most talented up and coming drivers from around the world have made their way Down Under during the Northern Hemisphere off-season, though the 2018 grid was short a few drivers this year.

Lawson feels with some tweaks, including FIA super licence points up for grabs now, a bumper field will contest the series.

“A lot of Europeans come and do it,” he said. “Last year, they struggled with the grid, but I think this year, it should be a much better turnout, with super licence points and stuff like that. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the Formula 4 grid in Germany and other categories in Europe come down to do it.”