Liam Lawson, F1 star, at the historic Taupo GP with SIXT!

Monday, December 23, 2024, 8:54 a.m.
Press release: NextGen Championship New Zealand

New Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Liam Lawson will be in attendance at the Taupo Historic GP, which takes place over the weekend of January 10-12, 2025.

Lawson will attend the event on Sunday, January 12 as a guest of the Tony Quinn Foundation, where he will take part in meet and greet sessions with fans.

The 22-year-old was the first ambassador for the Tony Quinn Foundation, which has since awarded more than $2 million in support of young New Zealand drivers.

This will be his only public appearance of the summer in New Zealand.

The present and the past will collide at this event, with Lawson meeting a group of former Formula 1 stars including David Brabham, Roberto Moreno and Brendon Hartley.

“I don't spend a lot of time in New Zealand, and it's always nice to go to a track and see everyone,” he said.

“I’m really excited to be taking part in the SIXT Historic GP at Taupo, and it looks like it’s going to be a very interesting event. I’m looking forward to seeing some great cars on the track too.”

“I can’t wait to discover the track. I haven't been to Taupo Motorsport Park since Tony bought it. I can't wait to see the facilities, visit Taupo and see everyone again. It adds to my excitement to come home.”

Lawson will also be on hand to encourage emerging talent in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship, the same series where he was spotted en route to his Formula 1 debut.

He was Castrol Toyota Racing Series champion in 2019, a feat that caught the attention of Red Bull, who signed him as a junior driver that year. He then finished second in the 2020 series before going international.

Since then, he has won races in Formula 3, Formula 2, DTM and Super Formula before making his Formula 1 debut at Zandvoort in 2023. In eleven Formula 1 races, he achieved his best result with ninth place in three times.

Last week he was promoted to Red Bull's main team, Oracle Red Bull Racing, where he will join four-time world champion Max Verstappen.

“We are delighted to welcome Liam and his partner, Hannah, to the SIXT Historic GP in Taupo this Sunday,” said NextGen Championship New Zealand CEO Josie Spillane.

“His success in the world of F1 is a source of pride for the entire nation. His presence at this event is a true commitment to New Zealand and he will inspire the drivers of the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship, who have the same dream as him – to reach Formula 1!”

“Liam is an excellent ambassador for the Tony Quinn Foundation, and we look forward to welcoming him to Taupo and celebrating his remarkable achievements with racing fans and our motorsport community.”

The presence of Lawson, the latest addition to this sensational event, further increases the excitement surrounding the weekend's activities.

On the track, a 28-car Formula Atlantic grid will be made up of teams from Australia and New Zealand. Iconic cars will also be on display throughout the weekend, bringing together the largest number of Formula Atlantics ever assembled.

Also at the event will be 2005 V8 Supercars champion Russell Ingall, reunited with his newly restored Ford Falcon that won him the championship. The Ford brand will be in the spotlight at the Taupo Historic GP, with more than 100 of New Zealand's best Fords on display at the Ford Car Show & Garage, located opposite the pit exit near turn one.

Other categories at the event include a field of 33 Heritage Touring Cars NZ, Formula 5000, Classic Saloons and HVRA Historic Saloons.

Modern open-wheel car racing will also be on the agenda with the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship, where reigning Repco Supercars champion Will Brown, supported by Red Bull, will also be present.

Tickets for the SIXT Rent a Car Taupo Historic GP are still available, with free entry for those aged 16 and under.

This is round two of the NextGen New Zealand Championship, presented by Repco.

Fans around the world can follow and watch the NextGen NZ Championship as well as the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship on the Stuff SpeedHub.

This platform will provide free, live coverage of New Zealand's major motoring events, making them accessible to spectators anytime, anywhere.

The SpeedHub aims to enhance the viewing experience with features such as on-demand race replays, highlights and interviews with key figures from the championships.

NextGen New Zealand Championship Schedule 2024/25

About the NextGen New Zealand Championship, presented by Repco

NextGen is Motorsport New Zealand's flagship racing championship. It aims to celebrate talent, develop drivers, captivate fans and be sustainable, successful and surprising.

The categories highlighted are the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship, the Bridgestone GR86 Championship, the Summerset GT New Zealand Championship, the NEXEN TYRE Mazda Racing Series, the Pirelli Porsche, the GTRNZ, the Napa Auto Parts New Zealand Formula Ford Championship and the Super V8s.