Liam Lawson: McLaren using God Save the King is b------t, they are a New Zealand team
Liam Lawson has garnered a reputation for being outspoken during his brief period in Formula One. Now the RB driver has turned his fire on an unlikely source, McLaren, describing it as “complete b------t” that they play God Save the King after race wins since they are “a New Zealand team”.
Lawson, who replaced Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull’s sister team following this year’s Singapore race, argued that since the team was founded by New Zealander Bruce McLaren, it ought to play the Kiwi national anthem.
“It’s a New Zealand team, the name is still McLaren,” Lawson, 22, said on The Red Flags Podcast. “Red Bull play the Austrian national anthem and the team’s based in the UK. McLaren’s based in the UK, but it’s a New Zealand team.
“It’s completely b------t, that’s what it is. Honestly! Especially if you’re from New Zealand... because Bruce McLaren is an absolute legend.”
The Red Flags podcast, hosted by Brian Muller and Matt Elisofon, is known for its laidback and humourous approach with guests, and it was stressed to Telegraph Sport that Lawson had embraced that mantra throughout his interview.
McLaren, who race under a British licence and have been based in Britain throughout the team’s history, are Britain’s most successful Formula One team, with 188 race wins, 12 drivers’ championships and eight constructors’ championships.
Founded by Bruce McLaren in 1963, the team won its first race in Belgium in 1968, with McLaren himself behind the wheel. It would be his final win in Formula One. He died in 1970, aged 32, at Goodwood, while testing his new Can-Am car.
Lawson, the 10th Kiwi driver to race in F1, has impressed on the track in his three-race audition so far, while making headlines off it.
The 22-year-old is seen as a contender for the second Red Bull seat next year, with Sergio Pérez almost certain to depart.
Lawson said he was “not in Formula One to make friends” after angering Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in Austin. He then got involved in a spat with Pérez in Mexico, showing the local favourite the middle finger after they were involved in an incident.
