Watching Liam Lawson hustle a Formula 1 car at the limit is nothing new — but drop him into a WRC machine on soaked tarmac, and suddenly the comfort zone disappears.
That’s exactly what unfolded in a new Red Bull Motorsports video, shared on Instagram, showing the Kiwi star getting a taste of WRC power in treacherous wet conditions. With rain-slick asphalt and tight corners, Lawson was thrown into an environment that demands commitment, car control, and a healthy dose of bravery.
Even from inside the cockpit, Lawson admitted the experience was intense. As the rear of the car stepped out through corners and the handbrake came into play, he laughed that he was “scaring himself” — a rare admission from a driver accustomed to the razor-sharp precision of Formula 1 machinery.
The contrast couldn’t be clearer. Where F1 rewards millimetre-perfect inputs and absolute stability, rally cars are designed to move around beneath the driver, especially on low-grip surfaces.
Lawson acknowledged the adjustment required, explaining that rally driving is built around constant motion and controlled instability. It’s uncomfortable at first, he said, but also wildly enjoyable, a sentiment clearly backed up by the grin inside his helmet.
Unsurprisingly, fans were quick to react online. The crossover between F1 talent and WRC machinery sent Instagram into a frenzy, with many praising Lawson’s adaptability and others half-jokingly suggesting a future rally career might already be calling. One nickname, “the wheelman”, even began to stick.
While this wet tarmac test may look like a bit of fun, it’s not Lawson’s first taste of top-level rally machinery.
Just months earlier, the 23-year-old stunned the rally world at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where he made his competitive debut on the infamous Forest Rally Stage. Despite having no prior rally experience, Lawson climbed into a Ford Puma Rally1 car — the highest level of WRC machinery — and immediately delivered one of the standout performances of the event.
Navigating Goodwood’s narrow, slippery forest roads alongside M-Sport WRC driver Josh McErlean, Lawson set a blistering time that placed him third-fastest overall from a field of nearly 100 drivers. The result was even more eye-catching, considering the names he found himself ahead of — including multiple world champions and established rally stars.
Lawson later admitted he was nervous before the run, having never tackled anything like it before, but once underway, he committed fully, learning at remarkable speed and adapting with every pass through the stage.
McErlean, who simplified the pace notes to help Lawson adjust, was full of praise for how quickly the Kiwi absorbed instructions and delivered immediate results.
Now, between rally car cameos, Lawson remains focused on his Formula 1 responsibilities. He’s recently been back on track at a Barcelona shakedown, continuing development work with a new-generation car that’s lighter, smaller, and significantly different in character — featuring increased electrical power and no DRS.
After initially working through setup challenges, Lawson reported strong progress on his second outing, saying the team had already taken meaningful steps forward and unlocked a better understanding of the package.
Whether it’s a Formula 1 car, a Rally1 monster, or a wet tarmac test designed to push limits, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Liam Lawson doesn’t need much time to adapt. Give him something fast, something difficult, and something unfamiliar — and chances are, he’ll find a way to make it look natural.
Header Image: Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool
Note the Safety Culture sponsorship
Liam – ya just showin’ off now bro! But a great way to show how technical precision and skills from one racing machine can be transferred and adapted for another racing machine from a different Motorsport.
You’re the man!