Liam Lawson heads to the official Super Formula testing in Japan next week with confirmation Rodin Cars will continue to be his leading backer.
The bespoke New Zealand car manufacturer joined Red Bull for the last two years as his primary sponsor in Formula 2 and will stay onboard for the seven-round, nine race Japanese series which Lawson will dovetail along with his F1 reserve duties.
Lawson’s association with Rodin Cars began when he tested founder David Dicker’s Formula 3 car at their headquarters and testing facility in February 2018, prior to his European Formula 4 racing debut.
Since then Rodin has developed their FZED single-seater, which Lawson has driven to two unofficial lap records in New Zealand, and is now working towards their own bespoke V10 engine.
“David and Rodin have been an integral part of my journey towards Formula 1 and there’s no doubt that without Rodin support last year I wouldn’t have been in F2 and had the opportunity to become Red Bull’s reserve driver,” said Lawson.
Rodin Cars shared the main livery on Lawson’s Formula 2 car over the past two seasons which culminated in him securing third in last year’s championship.
“I’m proud to have represented the Rodin brand over the past few years and it’s exciting to see David and the team now entering this year’s F2 season as Rodin-Carlin.”
This year’s campaign in Japan is largely supported by Red Bull with Rodin Cars and Lawson’s other New Zealand sponsors providing back-up support as he pushes ahead towards his ambition to secure an F1 seat with Red Bull or Scuderia AlphaTauri in the future. He continues as the main Reserve driver for both teams in 2023.
Rodin Cars founder and CEO David Dicker says “we’ve built a great relationship with Liam over the past five years, one that we’re confident will take him all the way to the top.”
Lawson will drive for the defending championship winning Team Mugen and will be one of Honda’s leading drivers in the all-Japan Super Formula series.
The official pre-season testing takes place over two days at Suzuka next Monday and Tuesday, ahead of a double-header opening round at Fuji a week after the Australian Formula 1 GP, at which Lawson will be in attendance as Reserve driver.
Joining Rodin Cars for the 2023 season are Lawson’s fellow long-term partners, Giltrap Group, Porter Group, Turners, Cumulo9 and the Tony Quinn Foundation.
2023 Super Formula Calendar:
| Round | Venue | Date |
| 1 & 2 (double-header) | Fuji | April 9 |
| 3 | Suzuka | April 21-13 |
| 4 | Autopolis | May 19-21 |
| 5 | Sugo | June 16-18 |
| 6 | Fuji | July 14-16 |
| 7 | Motegi | August 18-20 |
| 8 & 9 (double-header) | Suzuka | October 27-29 |
Header Image: Geoff Ridder | Words: Supplied
