Liam Lawson is seriously considering competing in the 2027 Race of Champions, which will take place in his native New Zealand on 9–10 January. The Racing Bulls driver has expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to race in front of his home supporters at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium, although he has not yet made a final decision about participating in the prestigious motorsport event.
With his Formula 1 future beyond the 2026 season still uncertain, Liam Lawson is also evaluating opportunities outside the championship. Rather than pursuing the kind of endurance racing challenges undertaken by his former Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen, the New Zealander is attracted by something less demanding and considerably closer to home.
Liam Lawson considers Race of Champions 2027 home appearance
The 2027 Race of Champions will bring together some of motorsport’s most recognisable names in Wellington, marking the event’s first appearance in New Zealand. The competition will take place over the weekend of 9–10 January at Hnry Stadium, offering Liam Lawson a rare opportunity to compete in an international motorsport event in his home country.
Asked by journalists during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend whether he might take part, Liam Lawson admitted that the prospect was particularly appealing, even though his participation remains undecided.
“I’m actually not sure yet, but it looks like a really fantastic event,” Liam Lawson said. “I should be there around that time anyway, so it’s something I’d really love to do.”
The possibility of competing on home soil adds another dimension to the event for the Racing Bulls driver. While Liam Lawson continues to wait for certainty about his Formula 1 prospects in 2027, the Race of Champions represents a different kind of racing opportunity, one that would allow him to represent New Zealand against leading drivers from other categories.
How the 2027 Race of Champions will work in Wellington
As is traditional for the Race of Champions, the 2027 edition will feature drivers from several major international racing championships, including Formula 1, the World Rally Championship, IndyCar and NASCAR.
Unlike a conventional Formula 1 Grand Prix, the event places competitors in identical cars on a specially constructed circuit inside a stadium. The format is designed to create direct comparisons between drivers from different racing disciplines, with the machinery standardised to place greater emphasis on driving ability.
Wellington’s Hnry Stadium will be transformed into a temporary racing venue for the two-day competition. The ROC Nations Cup will take place on Saturday 9 January, followed by the individual Race of Champions contest on Sunday 10 January.
The event will offer New Zealand motorsport supporters the opportunity to see internationally established competitors racing in a format considerably different from their regular championships. Further information about the venue, programme and confirmed participants is available on the official Race of Champions New Zealand event page.
Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas among confirmed ROC 2027 drivers
Several prominent current and former Formula 1 drivers have already confirmed their participation in the Wellington event. Among them is four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel, a veteran of the Race of Champions who has enjoyed considerable success in the competition.
Sebastian Vettel will be joined by Valtteri Bottas, who currently races for Cadillac in Formula 1, as well as Supercars champion Chaz Mostert and New Zealand rally driver Hayden Paddon.
The confirmed field also includes former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard, action sports star Travis Pastrana and Supercars champions Brodie Kostecki and Will Brown, giving the event a strong international line-up even before the remaining participants are announced.
For Liam Lawson, competing against drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas in identical machinery would present a distinctive challenge. However, the Racing Bulls driver has made clear that his interest should not yet be interpreted as confirmation that he will take part.
What the event could mean for Liam Lawson’s 2027 plans
Liam Lawson’s interest in the Race of Champions comes at a time when his Formula 1 future remains unresolved. The New Zealander is awaiting certainty over whether he will continue racing in the championship in 2027, making any additional motorsport commitments dependent on his wider plans.
The event would nevertheless offer an opportunity to compete in front of his home supporters without the demands associated with a full endurance racing programme. Its early-January schedule would also place it well ahead of the traditional start of the Formula 1 season.
With the 2027 Race of Champions set to feature established names from Formula 1, rallying and other major racing categories, Liam Lawson’s potential involvement would provide an additional local attraction for the Wellington crowd.
For now, his participation remains only a possibility. However, the chance to compete at home against some of the world’s best-known racing drivers is clearly an opportunity that Liam Lawson would welcome.
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