‘It’s bulls***’: Liam Lawson slams McLaren’s F1 anthem choice

F1 driver and proud Kiwi Liam Lawson has teed off at McLaren’s choice of national anthem after race wins, calling it “bulls***”.

Liam Lawson believes it’s “bullsh*t” that the British national anthem is played after McLaren F1 race wins given the team was founded by a legend of New Zealand motorsport.

Lawson became the 10th New Zealander to drive in F1 when he filled in for Daniel Ricciardo last year before eventually taking the Australian’s place after this year’s Singapore Grand Prix.

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Red Bull’s feeder team VCARB is yet to confirm Lawson has a full-time drive in 2025, but it would be surprising if another driver was given the last empty seat on next year’s grid.

Lawson has taken issue with the fact the British national anthem ‘God Save the King’ is played during the podium ceremony after the national anthem of the winning driver.

McLaren was founded by New Zealand’s Bruce McLaren in 1963, who won four F1 races across 13 seasons.

McLaren founder Bruce McLaren. (Photo by Rainer W. Schlegelmilch/Getty Images)

Lawson can’t believe the Kiwi disrespect! (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966 but tragically died aged 32 in a crash in England testing a new car.

The McLaren team has been based in England since its inception has its team headquarters in Woking, Surrey as one of several teams based in the UK.

McLaren race under a British licence issued by F1 governing body the FIA.

“It makes no sense,” Lawson said on the Red Flags podcast of the British anthem being heard after McLaren race victories.

For example, after Oscar Piastri’s wins for McLaren — the Australian national anthem is played before immediately rolling straight into ‘God Save the King’.

“It’s a New Zealand team, the name is still McLaren. I have no idea,” Lawson said.

“Red Bull play the Austrian national anthem and the team’s based in the UK. McLaren’s based in the UK, but it’s a New Zealand team.

“It’s complete bullsh*t, to be honest.

“Honestly, especially if you’re from New Zealand – because Bruce McLaren is an absolute legend.”

Two of McLaren’s 12 world drivers championships have been won with a British driver behind the wheel (James Hunt in 1976 and Lewis Hamilton in 2008).

Earlier this year after Lewis Hamilton won the Belgian Grand Prix, former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson asked: “Does anyone know why they play the German national anthem when Mercedes win? Because the car and the engine are made in the U.K.”

It turns out it’s because Mercedes originated as a company in Germany.

Oscar Piastri hears the Aussie and British anthems after his wins. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Williams, McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes and Alpine all have their team headquarters in the UK.

F1 fans have become very accustomed to hearing the Dutch national anthem played after each of Max Verstappen’s race wins.

The Austrian anthem is played afterwards in a nod to the team originating from Austria, where its headquarters are near Salzburg.

Verstappen went 10 races without a victory or hearing the anthem of the Netherlands, but finally broke his drought with a win in wet conditions in Brazil to all but clinch his fourth world championship.

He leads the championship by 62 points with three races remaining.

The F1 season continues at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Sunday November 24 at 5pm (AEDT).