David Dicker: No surprises Lawson is now Verstappen’s teammate

After just eleven Formula 1 Grand Prix races to his credit Liam Lawson has been promoted to Red Bull Racing’s main team beside world champion Max Verstappen, but that comes as no surprise to one of his most influential backers.

Rodin Cars founder David Dicker gave Lawson a life-line when he needed it most, and has been supporting his climb through the Red Bull Junior ranks to reach Formula 1.

“Liam first came to Rodin Cars in February 2018 before he started racing in Europe and drove an old Formula 3 car on our test track. Back then I could see his natural speed and ability so I kept an eye on his progress in Formula 4 and we met up again at the end of that season,” recalls Dicker.

“Soon after we became involved in financially supporting his journey which ultimately became a partnership with Red Bull and Rodin in Formula 2.”

Had Dicker not fronted with more than a million dollars to keep Lawson’s second F2 season alive, the Kiwi star’s journey could have come to an abrupt end.

Dicker, as owner of UK based Rodin Motorsport, is well aware of the financial hurdles facing budding race drivers as they progress through the open-wheel racing categories, with his own operation running cars for the locally based GB Formula 4 and 3 championships, as well as the FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 categories that support Formula 1.

“We were able to assist with the financial burdens Liam faced on his rise through motorsport and to reach a point where Liam is now in a championship winning Formula 1 team. It’s very rewarding for us and a testament to Liam’s unwavering commitment and hard work to reach the pinnacle of international motorsport,” said Dicker.

“I am more than happy to help people who try to help themselves and Liam has worked tirelessly in every aspect to secure his place in Formula 1.”

As well as supporting Liam’s journey, Dicker and Rodin Cars have invested heavily in fellow Kiwi driver Louis Sharp who recently became the first driver since the late Aryton Senna to win back-to-back UK motor racing titles. This year Sharp won the British GB3 championship to go along with his GB4 title won the previous year.

Sharp will make his FIA Formula 3 debut at the Australian Grand Prix in March 2025, at the same meeting where Lawson will also make his Albert Park racing debut – for the first time in Oracle Red Bull Racing colours.

Additionally, Rodin Cars has joined with Motorsport New Zealand to promote a pathway called Formula Ford to Formula 1, powered by Rodin Cars.