Liam Lawson labels rare F1 honour as 'privilege' as trust claim made

Liam Lawson has explained how the pressure of representing New Zealand in F1 is a "privilege" as he also charted how "trust" is important to him. 

The Racing Bulls driver is just the 10th New Zealander to compete in grand prix racing, and is currently tied fifth on the most experienced list on 25 starts with Brendon Hartley. 

Before Hartley, the country did not have representation in F1 since Mike Thackwell in 1984, with the last driver to win a grand prix being Denny Hulme's 1974 success in South Africa.

Just prior to F1's summer break, Lawson unlocked a strong run of form with a sixth and two eighth places from the final four grands prix, as he explained how his inner circle is ever-tightening whilst he represents his country. 

"As I've gotten older, and further through my career, my support group, like family and friends - obviously my family has never changed - but my friend group and people around me have gotten smaller," Lawson exclusively told RacingNews365.

"The number of people I trust and talk to has actually got smaller, and the people I really trust, I've known since I was young.

"I feel very privileged to be able to do this from New Zealand. I know how rare it is, and how lucky I am to have been able to get this far.

"So each time I go home, it is very cool to see everybody, to see people, and I definitely feel that support when I'm racing as well.

"So in terms of people I connect with, though, it is my family, my close friends, and that will never change."