New Zealander Liam Lawson will take the 2011 Formula 1 title-winning Red Bull RB7 over Mount Panorama in a demonstration at the Bathurst 12 Hour.
Lawson has been backed by Red Bull for much of his junior career, with his Bathurst visit representing something of a homecoming for the now well-travelled young star.
“I’m super excited,” he said about the drive. “I’ve never been to Bathurst before so it’ll be a first for me.
“It’s a track that I’ve done a lot in sim racing and iRacing. Being from New Zealand, Supercars is a massive series and I’ve grown up watching it, especially the Bathurst 1000. It’s always been one of the biggest events that I’ve known.
“I’m excited to finally tackle the Mountain and in that car as well – in the RB7 – which I have had the privilege of driving once and it was one of the coolest experiences of my life.
“I’m really excited to have that opportunity again at such a unique place, and to see the fans’ reaction to the car because I think it will be quite cool.”
Oracle Red Bull Racing’s LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour appearance will culminate in a demonstration session to be run between the first two parts of Bathurst 12 Hour qualifying on Saturday afternoon.
Lawson’s drive over Bathurst was reported as a possibility two weeks ago by Velocity News following an announcement that Daniel Ricciardo, who was hotly tipped for the drive, was unavailable.
Now that responsibility falls to the New Zealand talent before he heads to Japan to compete in Super Formula for Team Mugen in 2023.
The Bathurst 12 Hour, including the demonstration, will be broadcast on Sky Sport New Zealand, Fox Sports Australia and live streamed to the rest of the world.
This year’s event will run from 3-5 February.