NASCAR’s Shane van Gisbergen stoked for fellow Kiwi Liam Lawson’s progress in F1

For Shane van Gisbergen, racing has at all times been about perseverance and flexibility — traits he acknowledges in his fellow Kiwi, Liam Lawson. The 35-year-old, who will make the full-time transfer as much as the NASCAR Cup Series subsequent yr, was an early mentor to the VCARB Formula 1 driver.

“Clearly, I went the Touring Automotive route, and he went to chase the dream in Europe in single-seaters,” van Gisbergen mirrored. “Now he is succeeded at it. The way in which he is gotten to F1 has been a little bit troublesome the final couple of years. However seeing him get this chance full-time now, I am simply stoked and so proud.”

The three-time Australian Supercars champion credited Lawson’s success, partly, to his unwavering dedication. “I might see proper from the beginning how into it he was — at all times watching racing or on the simulator. He simply dedicated himself,” van Gisbergen mentioned.

The pair, who’re each a part of the Crimson Bull household, have additionally used adaptability to their benefit. “You’ve acquired to be versatile, which is one thing I’ve at all times tried to do by driving a bunch of various automobiles. It helps you with regards to one thing new within the setup, one thing technical, and even with the climate altering. You’ve acquired to have the ability to adapt immediately,” he mentioned. “Liam’s been distinctive at that. Even when F1 wasn’t figuring out, he did DTM and different racing that I feel has actually helped him.”

Shane van Gisbergen, Connor Zillisch, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson

Photograph by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool

The truth is, the two recently reconnected on a dirt oval in Texas for a Red Bull shoot, where Lawson and his teammate Yuki Tsunoda got behind the wheel of a stock car — with some steering from van Gisbergen and NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch. “Liam was very analytical, making an attempt to know the automobile and what he wanted to do to be quick,” van Gisbergen mentioned. “You do not make it to F1 by being a mean driver. To observe how he and Yuki might simply bounce in a automobile and drive — it was superb.”

Regardless of being at totally different level of their careers, the pair are each experiencing the challenges of uprooting their lives to chase their goals overseas. “It’s not straightforward. Even now, I am quite a bit older, however shifting from Australia to America — being throughout the opposite facet of the world from your loved ones and associates — it’s troublesome,” van Gisbergen admitted. Nonetheless, he’s greater than able to forge a brand new path in NASCAR, the place he’s set to drive for Trackhouse Racing full-time in the 2025 Cup Series.

“I’ve had a blast. It has been like a totally totally different sport — it’s so in contrast to every other racing I’ve ever executed, and that is nice. It has been such a problem and a giant refresh for me,” he defined. “Some elements of it have been a battle, particularly on the ovals, however that is what guys grew up doing right here. NASCAR additionally has a very hectic schedule, however I adore it.”

He’s additionally taken recommendation from veterans like Marcos Ambrose and Kevin Harvick whereas embracing the camaraderie of the NASCAR world. “The entire drivers have been fairly pleasant. You possibly can’t not be pleasant since you race one another each week,” he mentioned. “The automobiles are very totally different to what I’m used to, however hopefully the Cup automobile will swimsuit me higher. I’ve simply acquired to be affected person and never attempt to drive issues. The outcomes will come as soon as I get comfy, however I am positively able to go.”