Formula 1’s Liam Lawson made a notable appearance at Phoenix Raceway during the highly anticipated NASCAR Cup Series championship race, putting the spotlight on the Kiwi driver’s potential interest in North American stock car competition. Lawson, representing Racing Bulls in Formula 1, was seen on the grid ahead of the race, mingling with Red Bull athlete Connor Zilisch and catching attention among NASCAR fans and insiders.
Liam Lawson Draws Attention Amid NASCAR’s Season Finale
Lawson, at just 23, has had a turbulent Formula 1 campaign, most recently ending his run at the Mexico City Grand Prix with his fifth DNF of the season. Although expectations were high heading into 2025, Lawson has faced stiff competition this year—after just two races with Red Bull’s top team, he returned to Racing Bulls, only to be outperformed by his rookie teammate, Isack Hadjar. The championship event at Phoenix offered him a timely break from his overseas commitments and allowed him to engage with key motorsport figures, such as William Byron, Kyle Larson, Chase Briscoe, and Denny Hamlin, who were all contenders for the Cup Series crown.
His time in the NASCAR paddock comes amid questions regarding his future with Red Bull. Arvid Lindblad is being considered for a potential promotion within the system, and rumors link Isack Hadjar with an opportunity alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull’s senior outfit, narrowing options for Lawson’s path in F1. As speculation grows about a possible switch to American racing, his presence at Phoenix Raceway has only fueled more curiosity about his next steps.
Lawson’s Prior Encounters with NASCAR Technology
This was not Lawson’s first experience with NASCAR. Earlier this year, he visited the Ford Performance Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina, as Ford Performance collaborates with Red Bull Powertrains on its 2026 F1 project. There, he met Cup Series racer Noah Gragson, tried out the sophisticated simulator, and later participated in a video project at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. These encounters culminated in Lawson taking a virtual test with a digital Ford Mustang at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), where he demonstrated competitive pace for a first-timer, falling only six seconds short of typical Cup grid times from 2024. He also tested his skills at Bristol Motor Speedway in the simulator, showing a quick adaptability to the unique demands of stock cars.
Lawson Shares Enthusiasm for NASCAR Future
Earlier in the year, after running laps in Ford’s simulator, Lawson’s enthusiasm for experiencing a NASCAR race firsthand was clear. He told reporters after the session:
“Dude, I would love to do a race. Yeah, 100 per cent.”
—Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls F1 Driver
The combination of Red Bull’s expanding technical partnership with Ford, Lawson’s active interest in American racing, and his recent visit to Phoenix points to increasing openness toward exploring options outside of Formula 1, especially if his trajectory in Europe stalls. Noah Gragson, who shared time with Lawson during his American visit, also highlighted the growing ties between the two motorsport worlds.
What May Come Next for Lawson and Red Bull
As the Formula 1 season moves toward its closing rounds, beginning next week in Brazil, Lawson faces an important stretch that could determine the future of his racing career. The tension within Red Bull’s team ecosystem, with emerging talents such as Lindblad and Hadjar angling for coveted seats, intensifies the uncertainty around his path. Should his opportunities in F1 narrow further, American series like NASCAR may become more than just an idea for the young Kiwi.
Lawson’s presence at the NASCAR Cup Series championship race underscores the global reach of motorsport and highlights the intersections between F1 and American racing. With his performance background, curiosity for new disciplines, and ties to influential names like Max Verstappen and Red Bull, motorsport fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if Liam Lawson’s next chapter leads him across the Atlantic and into a NASCAR cockpit.
Liam Lawson is at Phoenix Raceway to take in the NASCAR Cup Series championship race! pic.twitter.com/6AiFaCyPfE
— Motorsport (@Motorsport) November 2, 2025
