F1's Liam Lawson competes in Red Bull's rural triathlon challenge

F1 reserve driver Liam Lawson stepped out of his single-seater comfort zone to battle NASCAR's Shane van Gisbergen and drift champion "Mad Mike" Whiddett in a unique, three-discipline rural challenge hosted by Red Bull. The New Zealand trio competed in a ProLite truck time trial, a drift target test, and a lawnmower race on a remote farm, with Whiddett ultimately claiming victory after a chaotic final race. Lawson, more accustomed to the precision of Formula 1, finished last in the overall standings after struggling to adapt to the unconventional machinery.

Why it matters:

Events like the Rural Rumble showcase drivers' versatility and adaptability beyond their primary racing discipline, offering fans a rare, relaxed glimpse of their personalities and skills in a completely different setting. For Lawson, it's a valuable experience in car control and quick learning outside the high-pressure F1 environment, even as he prepares for a potential 2026 race seat.

The details:

• The competition was structured as a points-based triathlon, with each discipline offering a maximum of 75 points.
• Round 1 - ProLite Truck: Shane van Gisbergen set the early benchmark, winning the time trial with a clean run. Lawson was faster but incurred a five-second penalty for missing a jump target, placing him third after the first segment.
• Round 2 - Drift Challenge: Lawson excelled in his element, hitting all six hanging targets to win the session and close the points gap. Whiddett hit five targets, while van Gisbergen failed to hit a single one after aborting a spin.
• Round 3 - Lawnmower Race: The final decided the overall winner. Van Gisbergen led initially, but strategic use of a joker lane shuffled the order. A late mistake from van Gisbergen allowed Whiddett to retake the lead and win the race, securing him the overall Rural Rumble title. Lawson, visibly struggling with the lawnmower's handling, finished the race in last place.

What's next:

With the rural detour complete, Lawson refocuses on his Formula 1 duties as the primary reserve driver for Red Bull and Racing Bulls, with his sights set on securing a full-time seat for the 2026 season. Shane van Gisbergen returns to his full-time campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing, continuing his transition from Supercars to American stock car racing.