Grounded in focus: Liam Lawson on Focus, Kiwi Mentality, and the Baku Challenge

Formula 1 is an octane and ego fuelled sport, so that makes New Zealand driver Liam Lawson a breath of pretence-free, humble air. In the days before the Visa Cash App RB driver prepared for the unique Baku street circuit, I had a Zoom call with him to understand what powers his journey at the pinnacle of motorsport. The conversation revealed a driver defined not by bravado, but by a quiet, intense focus and a mentality shaped by his New Zealand roots.

I asked him what is “Kiwi” about his approach and Lawson was modest. “I don’t really know, to be honest,” he began. “Probably just… the approach that we go about doing things.” He explained that in his early years, the sheer excitement of reaching a lifelong dream was a huge motivator. Now, his strategy is simple but powerful: concentrate on results.

“Over the years, maybe just being focused on the driving, on the job, and not really thinking too much about a lot of the other stuff…,” he reflected. It’s an environment filled with global attention and media glare, yet Lawson admits he has chosen not to get swept up in it. It comes across as a lack of ego, rare in the F1 paddock. Forget what you might see on F1TV or Drive to Survive, Liam’s a down to earth bloke who drives quick.

Focus is his drive. With a range of interests like playing guitar, I was curious how he avoids distractions. He stressed that the role of a driver is all-consuming. “The preparations can be endless,” he said, emphasising that maximising every moment in the simulator, in the gym, or with his engineers is paramount.

When he does have rare downtime, Lawson chooses activities that are both enjoyable and mentally resetting. Music is one, and more recently, golf has become what he calls “another obsession.” “It’s four hours of just… you’re not on your phone,” he explained. “I do miss New Zealand courses a lot, and I can’t wait to get back onto them at the end of the year.”

He revealed that managing this mental warfare is a deliberate practice. “I’ve had a performance coach since I first moved to Europe when I was 16,” he shared, highlighting the importance of having “good people that I trust around me” to stay grounded and on track. “Dealing with the pressure of being in the sport, there’s obviously a lot of just a lot of noise,” Lawson stated. “Trying to block out as much of the noise as possible, honestly, and just literally try and put as much focus on the driving… it’s super easy to get lost in everything else.”. The mental side sounds like the toughest part of the sport.

Looking ahead to the immediate challenge, Lawson’s focus narrows to the unique track ahead. “The Baku track itself is quite cool. There’s no other track on the calendar that’s like this,” he said. “Because of how long the straight is here, we have to run quite low downforce. So the cars move around a lot.”

It’s this combination of a grounded mindset and an unwavering dedication to the craft of driving that Lawson hopes will secure his future. To stay in Formula 1, the goal is clear: “Results. Good results, points,” he stated. “That’s the only way that you can prove yourself in the sport.” The 15 minute call ended and his race prep started. The message was clear. Liam Lawson isn’t just racing for points; he’s racing with purpose, shielded from the noise by a laser focus and anchored by the quiet strength of his Kiwi identity.