In the kart: Lawson to race in Tron at weekend

While his duties as a Formula One reserve driver lie just over the horizon, this weekend sees Liam Lawson back behind the wheel on home soil.

Lawson is contesting the New Zealand Karting Grand Prix in the premiere KZ2 class in Hamilton this weekend, getting some time behind the wheel before heading abroad for the start of the F1 season.

Lawson’s appearance on home tracks are rare. This weekend is an opportunity to stay sharp ahead of a new season, particularly when the date of his next competitive drive is unknown.

This year will be the third he has returned to local karting, driving for former coach and mentor Matthew Kinsman, and he said it was a good way to stay switched on during the off-season.

“All the trainers I’ve worked with love all the time we can spend in a gokart between racing, whether it’s Formula One, Formula 2 or Super Formula,” Lawson said.

“It’s something that’s very good for a driver to do on the side. That’s because it’s extremely physical, even with all the training we do.

“When I come home to drive a gokart, it takes a few solid days to basically get comfortable because of how

It’s something that’s very good for a driver to do on the side. That’s because it’s extremely physical.

Liam Lawson

physical they are. In KZ, you’ve got a six-speed sequential gearbox and you’re probably shifting 25 to 30 times a lap, so it’s very busy and physical.”

Formula One testing commitments in Italy late last month prevented Lawson from returning to defend his City of Sails title in Auckland but he has returned to a track where he finished third last year, with the event starting yesterday and finishing tomorrow, his 22nd birthday.

Lawson’s is set for a limited driving schedule, as he has the sole role of reserve driver for the Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB F1 teams in 2024. However, he said he and the team are working on getting him behind the wheel in some capacity throughout the year.

Heading into the season, Lawson signed an extension to his F1 driver’s contract with Red Bull, which replaced his junior role in the team. While he has been their F1 reserve driver the past couple of seasons, this year will be the first he hasn’t raced on a different circuit away from F1.

Last year, Lawson finished runnerup in Japanese Super Formula, while he also competed in five F1 Grands Prix as an injury replacement.