Liam Lawson sets sights on Bathurst 1000 amid F1 future uncertainty

Liam Lawson has shared his desire to race in the Bathurst 1000, which is being held this weekend at the famous Mount Panorama Circuit in Australia.

The Racing Bulls driver is fighting for his survival in F1, with Arvid Lindblad a contender for a seat at the Faenza-based squad, something that is putting the New Zealander and Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda under considerable pressure.

Team-mate Isack Hadjar is safe and expected to make the jump up to the main team to partner Max Verstappen next season, but Lawson, who started the campaign in that seat, is far from guaranteed a drive next year.

However, with F1 on an off-weekend between the Singapore Grand Prix — where Lawson finished P15 and suffered arguably the worst round of his career — and the United States Grand Prix in Austin, he is getting to enjoy the 1000km Supercars race at Mount Panorama, known as The Great Race.

Before the Bathurst 12 Hours in 2023, Lawson got to experience the legendary track in a Red Bull RB7 as part of a show run, something he called "the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my life."

Now, two years on, he harbours ambitions to return to the circuit, but next time to race in an official capacity.

When asked by Speedcafe if he would like to compete at Bathurst one day, the 23-year-old replied: "Yeah, definitely.

"After driving the F1 car around there, it’s something that I’ve always wanted to race at, and I would love to in the future. Even if it’s as a co-driver, I would love to do it."

Ahead of the race, Lawson had already picked out who wants to win, childhood friend Matt Payne. Having grown up on the same street, he credits the Supercars driver as the reason he got into motorsport in the first place.

"One of my best mates, growing up racing him, so he’s my pick," he said.

Payne, who races the #19 — but #100 for the Bathurst 1000 — Ford Mustang for Grove Racing in the Australian series, suffered a disappointing qualifying session at Bathurst and will line up P18.

The 23-year-old is, however, putting together a strong 2025 campaign. After nine rounds, he has won multiple races and sits second in the championship standings to Broc Feeney, who is a distant 345 points ahead.