Would Liam Lawson to McLaren in F1 2028 make sense?…🚨🏎️ WOULD LIAM LAWSON TO MCLAREN IN 2028 MAKE SENSE? NEW F1 DRIVER MOVE COULD SHAKE UP THE GRID! 🔥
Formula 1 could be heading towards another major driver-market storyline, with Liam Lawson potentially emerging as an interesting candidate for McLaren ahead of the 2028 season.
Although no confirmed agreement has been announced, the possibility of Lawson joining the reigning front-running team raises an intriguing question: would the New Zealander be the right driver to strengthen McLaren’s long-term ambitions?
Lawson has experienced a challenging journey in Formula 1. From making his unexpected debut as a replacement driver to earning a full-time opportunity with Red Bull’s junior team, his career has been filled with pressure, difficult moments and opportunities to prove himself.
However, the 2028 season could represent a completely different opportunity if McLaren were to consider bringing him into their driver line-up.
McLaren are one of the biggest names in Formula 1, and their ambition is to remain competitive at the highest level. Any decision involving their future drivers would need to be carefully considered, particularly with the increasing importance of consistency, technical feedback and long-term development.
For Lawson, a move to Woking would potentially be the biggest opportunity of his Formula 1 career.
WHY LIAM LAWSON COULD BE AN INTERESTING OPTION FOR MCLAREN
One of the biggest reasons Lawson could attract attention from McLaren is his experience working under intense pressure.
The New Zealander has already experienced the difficult reality of competing in Formula 1, where a driver’s reputation can change dramatically after just a handful of races.
His first appearances in the championship demonstrated that he was capable of competing against experienced drivers despite having limited preparation.
Lawson made his Formula 1 debut with AlphaTauri in 2023, replacing the injured Daniel Ricciardo.
He impressed during his short opportunity, scoring points at the Singapore Grand Prix and demonstrating that he could handle difficult circumstances.
That performance helped strengthen his reputation and eventually earned him a full-time opportunity.
However, his subsequent promotion to Red Bull Racing in 2025 proved difficult. After just two race weekends, the team decided to move him back to Racing Bulls, with Yuki Tsunoda taking his place.
It was a painful moment for Lawson, but it also provided an important lesson about the demands of Formula 1.
Rather than allowing that experience to define his career, Lawson has continued working to establish himself as a competitive driver.
For McLaren, that determination could be an attractive quality.
COULD MCLAREN NEED A NEW DRIVER IN 2028?
The biggest question surrounding this potential move is whether McLaren will actually have a vacancy in 2028.
Formula 1’s driver market can change quickly, and long-term contracts do not always guarantee that a driver will remain with the same team throughout their agreement.
McLaren currently have two highly talented drivers in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Both have demonstrated their ability to compete for victories and championships, making them valuable assets for the team.
Norris has established himself as one of the leading drivers of his generation, while Piastri has continued developing into a serious championship contender.
Replacing either driver would therefore be a major decision.
McLaren would need a convincing reason to change a successful partnership.
However, Formula 1 teams must always prepare for different possibilities. Contract negotiations, performance expectations and opportunities elsewhere can all influence future driver decisions.
If a seat became available before the 2028 campaign, Lawson could potentially enter the conversation.
His age, experience and familiarity with the demands of modern Formula 1 would make him an interesting name to consider.
LAWSON COULD BENEFIT FROM A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT
Another important factor is the environment in which Lawson would compete.
His difficult experience at Red Bull highlighted how challenging it can be for a young driver to perform when expectations are extremely high.
Being compared with Max Verstappen and expected to deliver immediate results created enormous pressure.
McLaren could potentially offer a different working environment.
The team has demonstrated its ability to develop young drivers, provide competitive machinery and build a structure around its drivers.
A move to Woking could allow Lawson to focus on improving his performances rather than constantly dealing with questions about his position.
However, McLaren would not represent an easy destination.
The team has championship ambitions, and any driver joining them would face immediate expectations.
Lawson would need to demonstrate consistency, speed and the ability to work closely with engineers.
There would be no guarantee of success simply because he was driving a competitive car.
THE BIG QUESTION: WOULD LAWSON BE GOOD ENOUGH?
This is where the debate becomes particularly interesting.
Lawson has demonstrated that he has the speed and determination required to compete in Formula 1.
However, joining a championship-contending team is a completely different challenge.
McLaren would need a driver capable of delivering strong qualifying performances, scoring consistent points and challenging for podiums.
They would also need someone who could provide valuable technical feedback to help improve the car.
Lawson would have to prove that he could deliver those qualities over an entire season.
His performances against experienced teammates would be particularly important.
If he continues developing and produces consistently strong results, his reputation could improve significantly before 2028.
On the other hand, inconsistent performances could make it difficult for him to attract the attention of a team like McLaren.
The New Zealander would need to use every opportunity available to demonstrate that he belongs among Formula 1’s leading drivers.
