Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson had an emotional and unforgettable experience at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed during Formula 1’s summer break.
The New Zealander was given the rare opportunity to drive the No.2 Ford GT40 Mk.II, the very car in which Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon won the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Lawson became only the 10th New Zealander ever to compete in an F1 grand prix when he made his debut at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, stepping in for an injured Daniel Ricciardo.
The significance of that New Zealand connection made the moment at Goodwood all the more powerful, as Lawson climbed behind the wheel of a piece of his country’s motorsport history.
Bruce McLaren, who founded the eponymous F1 team which is still competing at the front of the grid today, tragically passed away aged just 32 after an incident at the Goodwood Circuit back in 1970.
Lawson is currently in strong form in 2026, sitting 10th in the drivers’ championship with 39 points, but it was this historic drive that clearly moved him most deeply this weekend.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb drew several current F1 drivers, including 2025 world champion Lando Norris, who took on the famous run in the new McLaren hypercar.
Lawson admitted the drive came about almost spontaneously, having spotted the car at the event and asked the owner directly for the chance to get behind the wheel.
“Yeah, that’s still shaking,” Lawson said, looking at his hand. “Very, very special, obviously a lot of New Zealand history in this car and I got to drive something similar, I got to drive a road-going GT40 last year, and the whole time all I could think about was this car.”
He explained that the owner’s generosity made the whole experience possible, and that he was in no rush to leave once the drive was complete.
“I didn’t expect to come here and drive it, I saw it today and I asked, I said ‘can I please [drive it], that would be really really special’ and the owner was kind enough to let me drive it so very very special,” Lawson added.
Showing just how much the moment meant, Lawson revealed he simply could not bring himself to step out of the car once it was over, saying “Everyone’s out of their cars and I’m still sitting in it. I’ll probably stay in here for a little bit.”