Before Liam Lawson, these New Zealanders who were once in F1

For the first time since Brendon Hartley in 2018, New Zealand will have a representative on the starting grid for the first Grand Prix of the season. After replacing Daniel Ricciardo, temporarily, in 2023, and, definitively, in 2024, the Kiwi was confirmed as teammate of Max Verstappen after the departure of Sergio Pérez was made official.

The native of Hastings thus maintains the link between Formula 1 and his country even if it does not have many representatives since the first Formula 1 world championship since 1950.

The 10 New Zealand drivers in F1 history

Bruce McLaren

Founder of the eponymous team, Bruce McLaren competed in 98 Grands Prix for 4 victories. He finished runner-up in 1960 behind Jack Brabham before two 3rd places in the championship in 1962 and 1969.

Anthony Shelly

Only one career Grand Prix: Great Britain 1962.

Chris Amon

The native of Bulls participated in 96 Grands Prix, signing 5 pole positions, 11 podiums but never a victory. His best result in the championship was 5th place in 1967.

Denny Hulme

Only world champion from New Zealand. With a total of 112 starts, Denny Hulme was crowned in 1967 by beating his teammate Jack Brabham. In total he won 8 victories.

James Howden Ganley

35 Grands Prix between 1971 and 1974 without the slightest podium. His best result was 4th on two occasions: United States 1971 and Germany 1972.

Graham McRae, John Nicholson et Mike Thackwell

Not the most famous characters. They respectively competed in 1 Grand Prix (McRae, 1973, and Nicholson, 1975) and 2 (Thackwell, 1980 and 1984).

Brendon Hartley

Before Liam Lawson in 2023, he was the last Kiwi in F1. Already within the Red Bull fold, the winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche and Toyota finished the 2017 season before competing in the entirety of 2018 under the colors of Toro Rosso.

READ ALSO > How Lawson built his career until his promotion to Red Bull