⚠️ Verification Status: Limited Documentation
| Component | Status | Source Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Direct drive confirmed; brand/model unverified | Verified |
| Secondary Setup | Logitech desk-mounted confirmed | Verified |
| Steering Wheels | Not specified in any source | Unknown |
| Pedals | Not specified (floor pedals noted with Logitech) | Unknown |
| Cockpit/Rig | Not specified | Unknown |
| Seat | Not specified | Unknown |
| Display | Basic 23" monitor in 2020; current unknown | Unknown |
| Motion Platform | No evidence of personal use | Likely None |
| PC Specs | Not disclosed | Unknown |
🏠 Home Rig (Personal Setup)
"I have a full direct drive setup at home, and I also have just a Logitech that I bolt to my desk, and I have my pedals sitting on my floor. And I'm just as fast on both setups."— Liam Lawson (Top Gear, June 4, 2024)
🕹️ Home Rig – Core Driving Controls
[Wheelbase] Direct Drive – Brand Unverified Confirmed TypeHome
Lawson confirmed he owns a direct drive wheelbase but has never publicly disclosed the specific brand or model. Possible candidates include Fanatec DD1/DD2, Simucube 2, or Moza. Without sponsorship announcement or direct confirmation, the brand remains unverified.
Note: The absence of hardware sponsorship is notable—unlike many F1 drivers, Lawson appears to have purchased his equipment personally.
[Secondary Setup] Logitech Desk-Mounted VerifiedBackup
Lawson maintains a basic Logitech setup alongside his direct drive rig. The specific model (G29, G923, G Pro) is not confirmed. This demonstrates his philosophy that driver skill matters more than equipment.
[Steering Wheels] Not Specified UnknownUndocumented
If using a Fanatec ecosystem, likely candidates would include the ClubSport Formula V2.5 or Podium F1 wheel. If Simucube, possibly Cube Controls or Ascher. Without confirmation, this remains speculation.
[Pedals] Not Specified UnknownUndocumented
Load cell specifications unavailable. At his level, Heusinkveld Sprint/Ultimate or Fanatec ClubSport V3 would be typical choices, but this is unconfirmed.
[Cockpit/Display/Motion] Not Specified UnknownUndocumented
The following remain undocumented:
🏢 Professional Facility Access (Red Bull)
| Facility | Equipment | Purpose | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bull Racing Erena | Fanatec DD bases, 240Hz AOC monitors, Playseat rigs | Esports / Community | Facility |
| RB F1 Team Simulator | RB1 chassis, hexapod motion, custom RBT pedals/wheel | Car Development | Facility |
| Racing Bulls Simulator | Simucube 2 Pro, Heusinkveld Ultimate+, D-Box motion | Race Prep | Facility |
| Ford Performance Center | NASCAR Cup Series sim (Dec 2024) | Cross-training | Verified |
[Facility] Red Bull Racing Erena — Milton Keynes FacilityRed Bull
The Red Bull Racing Erena is a dedicated esports and simulation facility featuring six professional racing stations. Equipment is standardized across all positions for competitive consistency.
[Facility] Red Bull F1 Team Simulator FacilityRed Bull
The full professional F1 simulator uses an actual F1 chassis (RB1) mounted on a hexapod motion platform. This is the primary tool for car development, race preparation, and track familiarization.
[Facility] Racing Bulls Simulator FacilityRacing Bulls
The Racing Bulls simulator equipment is documented through the official "Championship Edition" consumer replica.
[Special] Ford Performance Technical Center — NASCAR Testing VerifiedFord
In December 2024, Lawson visited the Ford Performance Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina, running virtual laps at COTA and Bristol with guidance from NASCAR driver Noah Gragson.
📋 Full Hardware Comparison
| Component | Home (Personal) | Red Bull Facilities | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Direct Drive (brand unknown) | Simucube 2 Pro / Fanatec DD | Type Verified |
| Secondary Base | Logitech (model unknown) | — | Verified |
| Steering Wheel | Unknown | Rexing Mayaris / Custom | Unknown |
| Pedals | Unknown | Heusinkveld Ultimate+ | Unknown |
| Cockpit | Unknown | Playseat Formula Intelligence | Unknown |
| Display | Unknown (23" in 2020) | AOC 49" / Triple / 180° Projection | Unknown |
| Motion | No evidence | D-Box / Hexapod (facility) | Likely None |
| PC | Unknown | MSI (Red Bull partner) | Unknown |
🏆 Esports & Sim Racing History
Lawson has competed across iRacing, rFactor 2, and F1 game platforms. His peak sim racing activity occurred during the 2020 COVID lockdown when he raced in New Zealand-based iRacing leagues.
| Event / Series | Year | Platform | Result / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Mans Virtual Series | 2021-22 | rFactor 2 | Red Bull Racing Esports · #11 ORECA 07 LMP2 |
| 8 Hours of Nürburgring | Nov 2021 | rFactor 2 | With Alex Siebel, Dennis Jordan |
| Bathurst 6 Hour Challenge | 2020 | iRacing | Victory · Porsche GT4 · With Paul Stubbs |
| 2K Cup MX5 League | 2020 | iRacing | Back-to-back wins at Silverstone finale |
| Virtual Chinese GP | April 2020 | F1 2019 | 8th place · Scuderia AlphaTauri debut |
🎮 Gaming Platforms & Community
Primary Platforms: iRacing, rFactor 2, F1 Games
iRacing: Lawson's favorite for competitive racing. He described the iRacing F3 car as: "The model is really accurate and the racing is always good." During 2020, he competed against Shane Van Gisbergen and Brendon Hartley in New Zealand leagues.
rFactor 2: Used for Le Mans Virtual Series with Red Bull Racing Esports.
F1 Games (Codemasters/EA): Lawson has played since F1 2010—"a guaranteed present under the Christmas tree" growing up. He credits these games for helping prepare for his Singapore GP debut: "I'd done it so much over the years on the F1 games... it was really similar."
Assetto Corsa: Used for casual racing and streaming. F1 2025 mods featuring the RB21 have been used for track familiarization.
"Screaming Meals" — Social Gaming Group
Lawson is a founding member of "Screaming Meals"—a social group/Discord community alongside fellow drivers Marcus Armstrong and Clement Novalak. The group streams on Twitch, often playing casual titles. This highlights the social aspect of his setup: it's a tool for relaxation and connection as well as work.
Red Bull Sim Racing Affiliation
Being part of the Red Bull sim racing ecosystem allows Lawson to learn "sim-specific" techniques from elite esports drivers that can translate to real-world consistency.
📖 From Ironing Board to F1: The Origin Story
"It's very basic but it gets the job done."— Liam Lawson on his 2020 lockdown setup (Driven NZ, April 2020)
The Ironing Board Era: During the COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand, Lawson's setup was remarkably humble. According to Driven Car Guide NZ, he borrowed a PC and steering wheel from a neighbor, propping a 23-inch monitor on an ironing board in his bedroom. Despite the basic equipment, he competed successfully in iRacing leagues against established drivers.
First esports appearance for Scuderia AlphaTauri, finishing 8th in the Virtual Chinese Grand Prix on the F1 2019 game.
Won the Bathurst 6 Hour Challenge (partnering Paul Stubbs in Porsche GT4, coming from a lap down) and back-to-back races at the 2K Cup MX5 League Silverstone finale.
Competed in LMP2 class with Red Bull Racing Esports on rFactor 2, including the 8 Hours of Nürburgring with teammates Alex Siebel and Dennis Jordan.
Logged extensive simulator hours at Red Bull Technology Campus for car development and race preparation while serving as reserve driver.
Confirmed "full direct drive setup at home" plus basic Logitech backup. Noted he's "just as fast on both setups."
Tested NASCAR Cup Series simulator at Ford Performance Technical Center in North Carolina with guidance from Noah Gragson.
Promoted to full-time Red Bull Racing driver alongside Max Verstappen, with access to the full suite of professional simulation facilities.
💡 Philosophy & Quotes
"I have a full direct drive setup at home, and I also have just a Logitech that I bolt to my desk, and I have my pedals sitting on my floor. And I'm just as fast on both setups."— Liam Lawson (Top Gear, June 2024)
"I'd done it so much over the years on the F1 games... it was really similar."— Liam Lawson on preparing for Singapore GP debut
"The [iRacing F3] model is really accurate and the racing is always good."— Liam Lawson on his favorite sim racing car
💰 Estimated Cost to Replicate
🎯 "Lawson Minimum" (Confirmed)
Based only on what Lawson has confirmed owning
🏆 "Pro-Level Estimate"
Typical F1 driver home rig (speculative)
🏢 Red Bull Facility Spec
Championship Edition replica
❓ Liam Lawson Setup FAQ
What sim racing setup does Liam Lawson use?
Does Liam Lawson use Fanatec or Simucube?
What esports events has Liam Lawson competed in?
• Le Mans Virtual Series 2021-22: Red Bull Racing Esports, ORECA 07 LMP2, rFactor 2
• Bathurst 6 Hour Challenge 2020: Victory in Porsche GT4 (iRacing)
• 2K Cup MX5 League 2020: Back-to-back wins at Silverstone (iRacing)
• Virtual Chinese GP 2020: 8th place for AlphaTauri (F1 2019)
No confirmed iRacing account name or current competitive involvement has been found.
Why is there so little information about Lawson's setup?
Does Lawson have setups in multiple locations?
What games and sims does Lawson play?
Likely: Assetto Corsa Competizione given his GT racing background, though not explicitly confirmed.
📚 Sources & Verification
Primary Sources (Tier 1 — Direct Quotes)
- Top Gear Interview (June 4, 2024) — Primary source for home rig confirmation: "full direct drive setup" and "Logitech bolted to desk"
- Driven Car Guide NZ (April 2020) — Documents the "ironing board" era during COVID lockdown
- Le Mans Virtual Series Entry List (2021) — Confirms Red Bull Racing Esports participation
Secondary Sources (Tier 2 — Facility/Partnership Data)
- F1 Authentics: Red Bull Championship Edition Simulator — Documents facility equipment (Simucube, Heusinkveld, etc.)
- Ford Authority (March 2025) — NASCAR simulator testing at Ford Performance Center
- Liquipedia: Red Bull Sim Racing — Team affiliation information
- Screaming Meals YouTube — Social gaming group with Armstrong and Novalak
Affiliate Sources (Tier 3 — Treat With Caution)
- BoxThisLap (March 2025) — Claims "Fanatec" hardware but uses affiliate links; no direct source cited. Treat as unverified.