Las Vegas, NV—Rookie sensation Liam Lawson, racing for the Red Bull-owned VCARB team, recently sparked reactions in the Formula 1 paddock with comments linking UK-based McLaren to his country native, New Zealand. Speaking on a podcast, Lawson joked that championship leaders McLaren are “truly a New Zealand team”, drawing attention to the legacy of New Zealand motorsport legend Bruce McLaren.
Lawson's remarks, which also shed light on Red Bull's Austrian anthem tradition despite its UK base, quickly gained momentum. Addressing the buzz ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Lawson clarified the intention behind his words:
“I think those are things I'm learning in Formula 1. I was laughing when I mentioned that comment in a podcast. It was more of a joke, but obviously it was taken very seriously.”
Despite the light tone, Lawson's pride in New Zealand's rich motorsport history was clear. The 21-year-old rookie hailed Bruce McLaren as a key figure of his inspiration:
“Obviously I'm very proud to come from New Zealand and our history in motorsport. Bruce McLaren is someone who is a true icon in New Zealand in motorsport. So he’s someone that I looked up to and learned a lot from, let’s say, when I was younger.”
McLaren's legacy: A New Zealand start, a global empire
Founded by Bruce McLaren in 1963, the team made its Grand Prix debut in 1966. McLaren's tragic death during a 1970 Can-Am test at Goodwood did not end the team's success; on the contrary, it has become a world power. Today, the McLaren Group is owned by Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, led by American CEO Zak Brown and Italian team principal Andrea Stella.
With drivers Lando Norris (British) and Oscar Piastri (Australian), McLaren now operates far from its New Zealand roots, but Lawson's comments underline New Zealanders' continuing pride in Bruce McLaren's fundamental role in the sport.
Lawson's playful remarks may not fit neatly into a corporate PR statement, but they serve as a poignant reminder of F1's global tapestry—a tapestry stitched with legacies that transcend national boundaries. As Lawson gets his bearings in the paddock, one thing is clear: the rookie is proudly carrying New Zealand's motorsport heritage into the future.
