Lawson to drive Red Bull F1 car at Bathurst
Liam Lawson will be behind the wheel of the Red Bull RB7 Formula 1 car during its demonstration laps at the Bathurst 12 Hour next week.
Red Bull will run the 2011-spec car in a special demonstration around the famous Mount Panorama circuit during the 12 Hour weekend.
While the initial announcement didn't name who would drive the car, prompting speculation that Daniel Ricciardo could make an appearance on home soil, it has now been confirmed that Super Formula-bound Lawson will be behind the wheel.
It will mark the Kiwi's first time at Bathurst and give him a shot at breaking the unofficial lap record – a 1m48.8s set by Jenson Button in a McLaren F1 car back in 2011.
"I'm super excited," said Lawson. "I've never been to Bathurst before so it'll be a first for me.
"It's a track that I've done a lot in sim racing and iRacing. Being from New Zealand, Supercars is a massive series and I've grown up watching it, especially the Bathurst 1000. It's always been one of the biggest events that I've known.
Liam Lawson, TEAM MUGEN
Photo by: Masahide Kamio
"I'm excited to finally tackle the Mountain and in that car as well, in the RB7, which I have had the privilege of driving once and it was one of the coolest experiences of my life.
"I'm really excited to have that opportunity again at such a unique place, and to see the fans' reaction to the car because I think it will be quite cool."
Lawson will drive the V8-powered RB7 on the Saturday afternoon in a demo session between the two segments of qualifying for the Bathurst 12 Hour.
The F1 laps will be shown live on TV as part of the broadcast.
The 2023 Bathurst 12 Hour will run from February 3-5.
Related video
Porsche names factory trio for Bathurst 12 Hour tilt
Auer to miss Bathurst, Craft-Bamboo seeking replacement
Triple Eight loses Newcastle Supercars disqualification appeal hearing
Triple Eight loses Newcastle Supercars disqualification appeal hearing Triple Eight loses Newcastle Supercars disqualification appeal hearing
Skaife responds to van Gisbergen Supercars furore
Skaife responds to van Gisbergen Supercars furore Skaife responds to van Gisbergen Supercars furore
Ranking the top 10 Supercars drivers of 2021
Ranking the top 10 Supercars drivers of 2021 Ranking the top 10 Supercars drivers of 2021
Button's Bathurst lap record stands after Lawson's Red Bull F1 demo
Button's Bathurst lap record stands after Lawson's Red Bull F1 demo Button's Bathurst lap record stands after Lawson's Red Bull F1 demo
How Lawson's first test brought back memories of Palou
How Lawson's first test brought back memories of Palou How Lawson's first test brought back memories of Palou
The Red Bull F1 junior aiming to defy geographical odds
The Red Bull F1 junior aiming to defy geographical odds The Red Bull F1 junior aiming to defy geographical odds
Red Bull's F1 rivals sense "duty" to fight back than moan about dominance
Red Bull's F1 rivals sense "duty" to fight back than moan about dominance Red Bull's F1 rivals sense "duty" to fight back than moan about dominance
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
Hamilton: 2023 Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen
Hamilton: 2023 Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen Hamilton: 2023 Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen
Verstappen: "Poor" visibility makes missing F1 grid slot easy to do
Verstappen: "Poor" visibility makes missing F1 grid slot easy to do Verstappen: "Poor" visibility makes missing F1 grid slot easy to do
Why three UK series occupying the same turf are thriving
Why three UK series occupying the same turf are thriving Why three UK series occupying the same turf are thriving
Mercedes explains approach to changing F1 car concept
Mercedes explains approach to changing F1 car concept Mercedes explains approach to changing F1 car concept
Why Vegas is the ultimate differentiator for F1 in the US
Why Vegas is the ultimate differentiator for F1 in the US Why Vegas is the ultimate differentiator for F1 in the US
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.