Red Bull drivers tackle drift kart challenge with 'Mad' Mike Whiddett

Red Bull's Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar traded F1 for sideways action during the Australian Grand Prix weekend, taking on a custom drift kart challenge set by New Zealand drifting icon 'Mad' Mike Whiddett. Lawson emerged victorious in the head-to-head finale against Supercars champion Will Brown, showcasing skills beyond the traditional racing line.

Why it matters:

While F1 demands ultimate precision, events like this highlight the different skill sets within motorsport and offer a rare, relaxed glimpse of drivers in a purely fun, low-stakes competition. It underscores the importance of car control in all its forms and serves as a valuable team-building exercise during the intense travel schedule of a grand prix season.

The details:

• The challenge, set on a special track designed by Whiddett, required drivers to clip a proximity wall, execute a tight clockwise doughnut, drift a full figure-eight through a slippery water balloon zone, and finish with a precise slide into a coned parking space.
• Hadjar's attempt: The Red Bull junior went first, struggling initially at the wall but nailing the figure-eight. He spun out entering and within the balloon zone, but recovered to perfectly hit the final parking box.
• Lawson's run: After watching Hadjar, Fisher, and Brown, the New Zealander scored maximum points at the proximity wall and glided smoothly through the rest of the course, taking a commanding lead into the finale.
• The head-to-head: The final was a tandem battle between Lawson and Supercars ace Will Brown. Lawson mirrored Brown's lines closely and precisely to secure the win, calling the experience "unreal how much fun that is."

What's next:

The drivers now return their focus to the precise world of Formula 1, but with memories of a different kind of driving mastery. Off-track activities like this are likely to remain a staple for Red Bull's talent, providing both entertainment and subtle skill development during the relentless F1 calendar.