Liam Lawson deserves a Formula 1 commentary team that knows he exists – Editorial
Watching Liam Lawson’s Formula One escapades on Sky is becoming a frustrating experience for his Kiwi fans.
The Japanese Grand Prix was a good result for Lawson, a finish in the points, ahead of both his teammate Arvid Lindblad and his old Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar, both of whom started ahead of him on the grid.
Lawson made up more ground than any other driver on the day at Suzuka to finish ninth.
Not that you’d have known it.
His efforts to hold off Esteban Ocon just behind him for close to 30 laps, despite Formula One’s new battery charge system making passing easier than ever before, never graced the lips of the commentary team, nor the cameras of the international feed.
The Herald last month asked the question that’s now on everyone’s lips: is there an English media bias against Lawson?
Lindblad is a shiny new British rookie, another Brit is the reigning world champion, another Brit is the bookies’ favourite to win the 2026 title, and the most storied driver on the grid, Sir Lewis Hamilton, is a British sporting legend.
When Sky broadcasts into our homes with UK-based commentators, it’s understandable that Lawson’s plucky mid-pack efforts are never going to be the topic of the day.
Given his place on the grid now looks assured for the season – or as assured as it can get in the cutthroat world of high-level motorsport – now is the time for Sky to start to think about its coverage.
Like all broadcasters around the world, it currently gets a “world feed” of Formula One visuals – all cameras, replays, data overlays and live direction are dictated by Formula One itself.
Local broadcasters are allowed to overlay alternative commentary to that feed.
A New Zealand‑specific commentary would be a big investment, and a real logistical challenge for Sky.
It’s something it usually only does for notable overseas events such as All Blacks away matches, and the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
But Lawson’s popularity, and the delight the country experiences seeing him going wheel-to-wheel with the best in the world, suggests it would be worth a go for a bit.
Their blind spot regarding Lawson aside, the UK commentary team are widely regarded for their broadcasting ability. It would take some serious star power to match up to them.
Sky has recently been piloting a new weekly Sky motorsports magazine show, Late Braking, hosted by Greg Murphy.
As far as entertaining experts come, there are few better than the man who set the Lap of the Gods at Bathurst.
Hearing his thoughts on Lawson’s races live on air, as they happen, would surely be better than the begrudging, low comments we’re hearing at the moment.