Key Highlights:
- Liam Lawson headlined a live musical performance titled “Garage Sessions with Liam Lawson and Friends” in Austin ahead of the United States Grand Prix.
- Former teammate Daniel Ricciardo attended the gig at Inn Cahoots alongside drivers Arvid Lindblad and Isack Hadjar.
- Lawson revealed extreme nerves before the show, stating it carried ten times more pressure than qualifying for a Formula 1 grand prix.
Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson traded the cockpit for a musical stage on Thursday night, playing a live concert ahead of the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Headlining “Garage Sessions with Liam Lawson and Friends,” the 24-year-old New Zealander performed at Inn Cahoots on East Sixth Street as part of Esses Bazaar ATX, marking his first public gig in over a decade.
A Star-Studded Audience in Downtown Austin
The intimate Austin show featured a gathering of prominent motorsport figures in the crowd. Among the spectators was Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo, whom Liam Lawson replaced at Racing Bulls during the 2024 season. Ricciardo was joined by Lawson’s current teammate Arvid Lindblad and former teammate Isack Hadjar to support the Kiwi driver’s musical endeavor.
On stage, Liam Lawson was accompanied by his brother Marcus and two longtime friends, Thomas and Harrison. The performance served as Lawson’s first live musical appearance in front of an audience since he was 11 years old.
I am feeling a lot of things. I mean, I’m excited for… It’s a cool opportunity to do this with my brother and a couple of friends that I’ve grown up playing with,
Lawson told the media in Austin before stepping on stage.
To be honest, we haven’t done this for like 10 years. And obviously, we never really performed, but we grew up playing together when we were very young. So it’s a cool opportunity. But no, I’m sh***ing myself, for sure.
High Nerves Compared to Formula 1
Despite regularly navigating high-speed machinery at the pinnacle of motorsport, Lawson conceded that live music induced far greater anxiety than a flying lap on the track. When questioned about the comparative stress of a live stage gig versus a race weekend, the Racing Bulls driver did not hold back.
Oh my God, like 10 times more pressure for this. I would happily get in a Formula 1 car and go into Q3 over doing this.
The cross-disciplinary event quickly gained traction across social channels. Following the performance, Racing Bulls published video clips of the set and shared a photograph of Lawson and Ricciardo together at the venue. Fans responded enthusiastically to the reunion, with one commenter writing, Racing Bulls giving the people what they want,
while another observed, Australasia loves to see it.
A third supporter added, OH MY GOD, I’M TOTALLY CALM AND COLLECTED ABOUT THIS (I’m 110% screaming).
Why This Matters
The Thursday night gig highlighted the close camaraderie remaining in the paddock, particularly between Lawson and Ricciardo following a high-profile seat swap at Racing Bulls in 2024. While drivers routinely manage extreme scrutiny inside the car, public appearances like the Austin Garage Sessions show the off-track interests of Formula 1’s newer generation. Lawson’s brief musical detour provided an unusual prelude to the serious business at the Circuit of the Americas, where the field readies for the United States Grand Prix on October 25.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Liam Lawson’s Austin concert?
Liam Lawson headlined “Garage Sessions with Liam Lawson and Friends,” an event hosted at Inn Cahoots on East Sixth Street as part of Esses Bazaar ATX prior to the United States Grand Prix.
Who performed on stage with Liam Lawson?
Lawson performed alongside his brother Marcus and childhood friends Thomas and Harrison in his first public show since age 11.
Which drivers came out to watch the performance?
Former Racing Bulls driver Daniel Ricciardo, current teammate Arvid Lindblad, and former teammate Isack Hadjar were all in attendance.
