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Kiwi Pride on the F1 Stage: Rookie Lawson’s McLaren Joke Sparks Conversation

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
December 4, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Liam Lawson: From Substitute to Rising Star – How Five Races Changed His F1 Future

ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS - AUGUST 25: Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Visa Cash App RB looks on in the Paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on August 25, 2024 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202408250149 // Usage for editorial use only //

Las Vegas, NV—Rookie sensation Liam Lawson, racing for the Red Bull-owned VCARB team, recently caused a stir in the Formula 1 paddock with comments linking British-based McLaren to his native New Zealand. Speaking on a podcast, Lawson lightheartedly referred to championship leaders McLaren as “really a New Zealand team,” drawing attention to the legacy of Kiwi motorsport legend Bruce McLaren.

Lawson’s remarks, which also highlighted Red Bull’s Austrian anthem tradition despite being UK-based, quickly gained traction. Addressing the buzz ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Lawson clarified the intent behind his words:

“I think this is stuff that I’m learning in Formula 1. I was laughing when I mentioned this comment in a podcast. And it was more of a joke, but obviously, it got taken very literally.”

Despite the lighthearted tone, Lawson’s pride in New Zealand’s rich motorsport history was clear. The 21-year-old rookie hailed Bruce McLaren as a pivotal figure in his inspiration:

“Obviously, I’m very proud to be from New Zealand and our motorsport history. Bruce McLaren is somebody who is an absolute icon in New Zealand in motorsport. So somebody I looked up to and learned a lot about, let’s say, when I was younger.”

McLaren’s Legacy: A Kiwi Start, a Global Empire

Founded by Bruce McLaren in 1963, the team made its Grand Prix debut in 1966. McLaren’s tragic passing during a 1970 Can-Am test at Goodwood didn’t end the team’s success; instead, it became a global powerhouse. 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 Kiwi roots, but Lawson’s comments underscore the enduring pride New Zealanders feel for Bruce McLaren’s foundational role in the sport.

Lawson’s playful remarks might not sit neatly in a corporate PR statement, but they serve as a poignant reminder of F1’s global tapestry—one stitched with legacies that transcend national borders. As Lawson gains his footing in the paddock, one thing is clear: the rookie carries New Zealand’s motorsport heritage proudly into the future.

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