LAWSON CROWNED TOYOTA RACING SERIES CHAMPION

Liam Lawson celebrating his 2019 Castrol Toyota Racing Series title – Photo: Supplied

Young Kiwi, Liam Lawson has won the New Zealand Grand Prix at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon this afternoon to claim the 2019 Castrol Toyota Racing Series title.

The TRS season finale was packed with drama and whilst Marcus Armstrong crossed the line first, a five-second penalty for an earlier move Lawson dictated the final result.

Lawson commenced his title fight with Armstrong by claiming pole position over his fellow Kiwi driver during qualifying.

Armstrong would bounce back to put in a polished performance to win the first race of the weekend reducing the championship battle to just one point.

The duo continued their battle in the second, reverse grid, race of the weekend. While American racer Cameron Das took his first win of the series, all attention was focused on the battle for fifth and sixth. This time it was Lawson who took the advantage to hold three-point lead heading into the final race.

Lawson and Armstrong battling during the race – Photo: Supplied

This afternoon’s title-deciding race, peppered by Safety Cars, race stoppages and penalties, even though the hard-fought second place would have been enough for Lawson to claim the win, after carving his way back through the field. Armstrong’s five-second penalty ensured the race win also.

“It was a weird race and I reckon I fluked the start as I have been having a few issues with those throughout the season,” said Lawson after the race.

“But it all came together and I had already made the move I needed to secure the championship when I heard about Marcus’s penalty on the radio.”

“I was racing with the championship in mind so to end up winning the Grand Prix is very special. I was a bit emotional on the warm down lap. People were on the radio and I was getting some lovely messages. It’s very special.”

“I have enjoyed racing with Marcus and although there’s a rivalry on track, we’ve become friends during the series and I can understand how disappointed he was after the race. It’s been a great championship, however, and he’s been a huge part of that.”

2019 Castrol Toyota Racing Series – New Zealand Grand Prix, Manfeild, Race 1

1. Marcus Armstrong (New Zealand)
2. Liam Lawson (New Zealand)
3. Lucas Auer (Austria)
4. Brendon Leitch (New Zealand)
5. Calan Williams (Australia)
6. Esteban Muth (Belgium)
7. Cameron Das (United States)
8. Petru Florescu (Romania)
9. Raoul Hyman (United Kingdom)
10. Jackson Walls (Australia)
11. Dev Gore (United States)
12. Parker Locke (United States)
13. Kenny Smith (New Zealand)
14. Thomas Smith (Australia)
DNF: Kazuto Kotaka (Japan)
DNF: Petr Ptacek (Czech Republic)
DNS: Artem Petrov (Russia)

2019 Castrol Toyota Racing Series – New Zealand Grand Prix, Manfeild, Race 2

1. Cameron Das (United States)
2. Lucas Auer (Austria)
3. Esteban Muth (Belgium)
4. Brendon Leitch (New Zealand)
5. Liam Lawson (New Zealand)
6. Marcus Armstrong (New Zealand)
7. Raoul Hyman (United Kingdom)
8. Calan Williams (Australia)
9. Thomas Smith (Australia)
10. Kazuto Kotaka (Japan)
11. Parker Locke (United States)
12. Petr Ptacek (Czech Republic)
13. Kenny Smith (New Zealand)
DNF: Dev Gore (United States)
DNF: Jackson Walls (Australia)
DNF: Petru Florescu (Romania)
DNS: Artem Petrov (Russia)

2019 Castrol Toyota Racing Series – New Zealand Grand Prix, Manfeild, Result

1. Liam Lawson (New Zealand)
2. Marcus Armstrong (New Zealand)
3. Kazuto Kotaka (Japan)
4. Raoul Hyman (United Kingdom)
5. Esteban Muth (Belgium)
6. Brendon Leitch (New Zealand)
7. Parker Locke (United States)
8. Kenny Smith (New Zealand)

DNF: Dev Gore (United States)
DNF: Jackson Walls (Australia)
DNF: Lucas Auer (Austria)
DNF: Cameron Das (United States)
DNF: Calan Williams (Australia)
DNF Petr Ptacek (Czech Republic)
DNF: Thomas Smith (Australia)
DNF: Artem Petrov (Russia)
DNF: Artem Petrov (Russia)
DNF: Petru Florescu (Romania)

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