RODIN CARS PARTNERS WITH LIAM LAWSON
JANUARY, 2021
New Zealand-based track car company backs rising Kiwi star
Rodin Cars, maker of the fearsomely quick FZED single-seat race car, has announced that it has partnered with sensationally quick Kiwi, Liam Lawson as he embarks on his debut season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. Eighteen-year-old Lawson is in his second year as a part of the global Red Bull Junior Programme and will contest the 24-race, eight-round Formula 2 season for British-based team, Hitech GP. Liam raced for Hitech GP in 2020 in Formula 3, scoring three wins and six podiums.
“Liam is an extraordinary young talent and I am delighted to partner with him as he continues to rise through the ranks of global motorsports,” said David Dicker, founder of Rodin Cars. “With Rodin Cars, we aim to excel in all areas from engineering to driving performance, and Liam is a perfect partner as he is a driver with focus and a strategic mind. He has excelled at every step of his motorsport career and is committed to achieving the desired outcome, so for us, it was a no brainer – he is the epitome of what we stand for.”
Lawson first visiting Rodin Cars’ stunning and state-of-the-art motorsport facility on the South Island of New Zealand in 2018 when David Dicker invited him to test a Dallara F3 single seater. Since that first experience, Lawson has considered Rodin Cars his “happy place”.
“What they are doing with the Rodin FZED and Rodin FZERO track cars is amazing,” explained Lawson. “And to have access to this track, as a professional racing driver and the support from David and the Rodin team in my own career definitely gives me an edge that I can’t wait to showcase throughout the 2021 season.”
To make this announcement, Liam returned again to Rodin Cars, realising his dream to drive the company’s outstanding FZED single-seater.
“I have been really looking forward to driving the Rodin FZED,” exclaimed Lawson. “It is faster than an F2 car and it’s always good to drive something faster than what you race.”
“I’m very grateful to Rodin Cars and David Dicker for the backing to compete in Formula 2,” continued Lawson. “I’m so excited to race this year with Rodin and Red Bull livery on my car.”
Lawson secured his drive in the 2021 FIA Formula 2 championship after a successful test at the Bahrain International Circuit where he sampled the Hitech GP Formula 2 car, posting the third quickest time of the 22 drivers and the fastest of the rookie drivers. This test came on the back of another visit to Rodin Cars where he lapped in the company’s own F2 race car.
“We believe that we’ve got a strong package, so our goal for the year is to win races and eventually win the championship,” said Lawson. “F2 has some very experienced drivers and only a handful of rookies this year so it will be a tough championship. There are some new tracks for me as well, so I’m really looking forward to racing at places such as Monaco.”
In what promises to be a very busy year for Lawson, the young Kiwi will contest a dual programme for Red Bull Motorsports. Along with the 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship, Lawson will also compete in the German DTM championship, partnered with former Red Bull Formula 1 driver, Alex Albon. But both Lawson and Rodin Cars’ David Dicker are convinced he has what it takes to handle the pressure and succeed.
“Even at such a young age, it’s obvious that Liam is an exceptional talent and a world-class racing driver,” said David Dicker. “He’s well on his way to a long and successful career in motorsport and Rodin Cars is delighted to partner with him on this journey that is now only one step away from Formula 1.”
Jesse Taylor
www.autodaily.co.au
