Liam Lawson surprised many at the Goodwood Festival of Speed by nearly matching the time of a professional rally driver during his first-ever attempt at rally driving. Tasked with closing a 15-second gap on the challenging Goodwood Rally Stage, Lawson achieved this feat within five laps, showcasing remarkable talent in his rally driving debut.
From Formula 1 to Rally Driving: Lawson’s Challenge at Goodwood
Red Bull and Ford, long-time partners in the World Rally Championship, are expanding their collaboration into Formula 1 with a joint power unit planned for the 2026 season. Ahead of this launch, Lawson, who races for Red Bull’s junior Formula 1 team Racing Bulls, took on a unique challenge at the July Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Lawson was tasked with closing the gap to a professional rally driver‘s lap time on the tight and tree-lined Goodwood Rally Stage, completing only four laps to familiarize himself with a World Rally Championship-level car for the first time. The stakes were high, as Lawson had never driven a rally car before and was assigned to handle a WRC Rally1 Ford Puma, one of the fastest rally cars available.
During a pre-challenge lap with M-Sport Ford’s Josh McErlean, who set a benchmark time of 2:26.75, Lawson expressed his surprise at the car’s grip despite the low traction surface. He remarked on the car’s unpredictable handling and difficult corners, noting the intense pitch control needed to navigate the course effectively.
The challenge is for me to get within 15 seconds of a lap time set by a pro rally driver, around the Goodwood Rally Stage,
Lawson explained in a Red Bull Motorsports video.
Two big problems. I have never driven a rally car before.
—Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing Junior
And there were a couple of corners that were really, really loose. So much pitch control, like you’re constantly pitching the car on the way into the corners.
—Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing Junior
Rapid Progress: Lawson’s Performance Climbs Steadily
Lawson’s adaptation was immediate. His first timed lap clocked in at 2:36.25, putting him within ten seconds of McErlean’s impressive benchmark. By his fourth lap, his time had improved to just two seconds shy of the professional rally driver’s pace, an exceptional achievement for a newcomer in such a specialized field.
I’ve never had a feeling like that from a race car,
Lawson commented, describing his experience behind the wheel.
This is so much fun.
You can’t help it, the adrenaline kick… Mate, unbelievable.
—Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing Junior
During the official timed run, Lawson posted an impressive 2:27.25. Although just over half a second off McErlean’s time, his rapid mastery of rally driving dynamics highlighted an extraordinary degree of raw skill and adaptability. His near-wheel-to-wheel capability with an experienced rally driver signals a promising potential for future success in this motorsport discipline.
Lawson’s Resilience and Prospects Amid His Racing Career
This rally challenge came during a dramatic phase of Lawson’s racing career. After being dropped from Red Bull’s main Formula 1 squad within the first two rounds of the season, his return to the Racing Bulls team demonstrated strong determination and resilience. With consistent point scoring, Lawson currently holds a 10-point lead over his replacement, Yuki Tsunoda, underscoring his competitive edge and steady recovery.
Lawson’s ability to quickly assimilate new driving techniques during the Goodwood event not only impressed rally enthusiasts but also added to his reputation as a versatile driver in motorsport. This performance at Goodwood may open doors for more cross-discipline appearances, potentially shaping a broader racing career that bridges Formula 1 and rally competitions.