Liam Lawson Drives SVG's Ex-Supercars Camaro, Calls It 'Raw' and 'Fun'
RB F1 driver Liam Lawson tested Shane van Gisbergen's former Gen3 Supercars Camaro in New Zealand, praising its raw, no-assists driving experience and highlighting the appeal of V8-powered racing.
Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson recently swapped his F1 machine for a V8-powered Supercars, sampling Shane van Gisbergen's former Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro at Highlands Motorsport Park in New Zealand. The F1 driver, who has also experienced a Gen3 Mustang, was full of praise for the car, describing it as a 'very raw' and 'fun' experience that starkly contrasts with the high-tech world of Formula 1.
Why it matters:
For an F1 driver accustomed to the pinnacle of motorsport technology, Lawson's foray into a Supercars car highlights the series' appeal and its visceral, analog driving experience. It also serves as a powerful cross-promotional tool, exposing the Supercars championship to a global F1 audience and reinforcing its reputation for intense, door-to-door racing.
The details:
- The Car: Lawson drove the ex-Shane van Gisbergen Gen3 Camaro, which is owned by Tony Quinn, a part-owner of the Triple Eight Race Engineering Supercars team.
- The Experience: In a video posted by the track, Lawson called it "the most raw car to drive," emphasizing the large sequential shifter, three pedals, and complete lack of driver assists. "It's just very raw, very loud," he added.
- The Venue: The test took place at Highlands Motorsport Park, a circuit also owned by Quinn. Lawson praised the track layout, noting, "It's sick around this track as well, lots of kerbs, camber, stuff like that."
- Double Duty: With this Camaro test and a previous run in a Gen3 Ford Mustang in 2024, Lawson has now experienced both manufacturers' top-tier Supercars machinery.
What's next:
While Lawson's focus remains on his F1 campaign, his drive has reignited conversations about Supercars' future in New Zealand. Highlands owner Tony Quinn has been a vocal proponent of bringing a championship race to his circuit, but the venue was recently overlooked for a new 2026 double-header in favor of Ruapuna. Lawson's glowing review could bolster future efforts to secure a race date at the picturesque Highlands track.