Liam Lawson has revealed that he would welcome the chance to compete in the 2027 Race of Champions, which will take place in his native New Zealand for the first time. The Racing Bulls driver could potentially join several established Formula 1 names at the event in Wellington.
The competition is scheduled for 9-10 January at Hnry Stadium, with Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas already confirmed among the participants. Lawson has not yet been announced as part of the line-up, but his plans for the winter could allow him to attend.
Speaking to GPblog and other media, the New Zealander acknowledged that he was interested in taking part, although his participation remains uncertain: "I'm not actually sure yet, but it looks like something that'll be really, really cool. I should be there over at that time as well, so it'd be something I'd love to do."
Lawson could face familiar F1 names in New Zealand
Should Lawson secure a place on the entry list, he could find himself competing against four-time world champion Vettel, who has previously enjoyed considerable success at the Race of Champions. Bottas will also participate, while Supercars champion Chaz Mostert and New Zealand rally driver Hayden Paddon are among the other confirmed names.
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
The event will feature competitors from several major racing championships, including Formula 1, the World Rally Championship, IndyCar and NASCAR. Rather than competing in their usual machinery, drivers will race identical cars on a specially constructed circuit inside the stadium.
Two separate competitions will be held across the weekend: the individual Race of Champions, which determines the Champion of Champions, and the Nations Cup, in which drivers compete for their respective countries. The event has previously welcomed numerous Formula 1 stars, including Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris.
For Lawson, taking part would mean racing in front of his home crowd, something he has never had the opportunity to experience in Formula 1, as New Zealand does not feature on the calendar. The 24-year-old has previously competed in several championships around the world, but an appearance at the Race of Champions would offer a different experience, particularly with the event taking place in his home country.
Despite expressing his interest, Lawson has not yet confirmed whether he will participate. With the event scheduled for January, during Formula 1's winter break, there would be no direct clash with a Grand Prix weekend.