Liam Lawson Nears New Zealand F1 Points Record, Faces Uphill Battle

Liam Lawson's return to a full F1 season hasn't yielded the dream start, particularly after his early demotion from Red Bull after just two races. As the season progresses, he's now tracking to narrowly miss out on a significant New Zealand F1 points record.

Why it matters:

For any driver, securing a place in Formula 1 is a monumental achievement, and for a young talent like Lawson, every point and every record is crucial not only for his immediate career but also for cementing his legacy. Surpassing or even coming close to a national record held by a world champion like Denny Hulme would be a testament to his potential, especially as he battles to secure his long-term future in the sport.

The Details:

• With four Grand Prix weekends and two Sprint races remaining in the current season, Lawson has accumulated 30 points.
• He is currently 21 points shy of the record for most points scored by a New Zealander in a single F1 season, which is held by Denny Hulme.
• Denny Hulme achieved this record in his 1967 world championship-winning year, where he amassed 51 points.
• Lawson's current average is 1.25 points per race across the 24 races (including four Sprints) held so far.
• Projecting this average over a full 24-race calendar (with six Sprints), Lawson is estimated to finish the season with approximately 37.5 points.
• This projected total would place him short of Hulme's 1972 tally of 39 points, but would still surpass other notable New Zealanders:
  • Chris Amon's 23 points in 1970.
  • Bruce McLaren's 34 points in 1960.
• Under the modern points system, Hulme's dominant 1967 championship season, which included two wins, three second-place finishes, three third-place finishes, and a fourth, would have translated to a staggering 161 points.

What's next:

Lawson faces a crucial period in the remaining races. Not only is he aiming to maximize his points tally to challenge Hulme's record, but his performance in these final rounds will be critical in his ongoing battle to retain his seat for the 2026 campaign and beyond. Every point and every strong performance will be a vital argument in his favor as the driver market continues to evolve.