P1racenews AI automatic summary:
RB’s Liam Lawson has taken issue with the British anthem being played on the Formula 1 podium for McLaren victories, claiming it’s “bullsh*t” that founder and New Zealander Bruce McLaren isn’t celebrated instead.
Since his F1 return at the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, Lawson has consistently stirred controversy, notably clashing with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. Recently, Lawson has sparked a dispute with McLaren, advocating for the playing of New Zealand’s anthem in honor of founder Bruce McLaren due to the team’s New Zealand roots. Despite Bruce McLaren’s legendary status and the team’s deep connection to him, McLaren has been based in the UK with a UK racing license since its establishment in 1963. The debate centers on whether a team’s nationality is defined by its base location or the origins of its founder. McLaren Racing, with its rich history and iconic papaya color scheme, continues to honor Bruce McLaren’s legacy through its successes in Formula 1, now under the ownership of the McLaren Group and US investment firm MSP Sports Capital. Lawson, a rising F1 driver from New Zealand, follows in the footsteps of illustrious compatriots like McLaren and Denny Hulme, embodying a proud tradition of Kiwi racers in the sport.
