Liam Lawson dismisses Supercars switch rumors

Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson has firmly denied widespread rumors that he would compete in the Australian Supercars championship during Formula 1's extended summer break, though he expressed a strong interest in trying the series in the future.

Why it matters:

For a reserve driver like Lawson, staying race-ready is crucial, but any extracurricular racing requires team approval and significant preparation. The rapid spread of this baseless rumor highlights the intense speculation surrounding drivers' activities during the break and Lawson's own popularity in the Australasian region, where Supercars is a premier motorsport category.

The details:

• Speculation emerged from Australian and New Zealand media that Lawson would sample Supercars machinery during the weekends of April 10-11 and April 17-19.
• Lawson revealed he discovered the rumor only after landing in New Zealand for the break, with his phone "lighting up" with messages about the supposed drive.
• The Kiwi driver clarified there was no truth to the story, stating, "I don't even know that I'm racing supercars next week."
• He acknowledged the appeal, calling Supercars "a very cool idea" and a series he grew up watching.
• Lawson indicated that his current full focus on his F1 duties with Racing Bulls precludes such a commitment, which requires dedicated preparation time.

What's next:

While the rumor is debunked, Lawson left the door open for a potential Supercars appearance later in his career.

• He stated he "would love to do it at some point, for sure," but likely only when his professional life is "not so focused on one thing."
• For now, his immediate priority remains his Formula 1 role, with the season resuming at the Miami Grand Prix on May 3rd.