Viral Internet Meme Is Reason Why Liam Lawson Doesn’t ‘Drink More Than Once a Year’

The lows for a racing driver can really hurt. Different drivers have different ways to cope with it, and 2025 Red Bull driver Liam Lawson took an epic night out to get over his 2021 DTM title loss.

However, he perhaps drank too much that night. Lawson’s friend, who had taken him out for the night, even tried to get some food into his system.

It only resulted in the Kiwi racing ace throwing up the burger he had eaten and missing his flight back to the UK. Since he had such a horrible night and a hangover the next day, he decided to drink just once a year.

“I drink once a year, and that’s New Year’s Eve,” he began in an interview with BuzzFeed UK. While the hangover was bad enough, what haunted him all the more was his picture that went viral thereafter.

why have i only just clocked this meme is liam lawson pic.twitter.com/BD4f3tEPii

— alex albon’s pr manager (@leclercize) September 26, 2023

“That photo is also another reason why I still don’t drink any more than once a year,” he added. Lawson revealed that it was one of the worst hangovers he had ever endured.

How Lawson’s pledge might not allow him to hang out with Max Verstappen

Lawson’s pledge to not drink more than once a year might actually hinder his relationship with teammate Max Verstappen off the track. The four-time world champion is famous for arranging the wildest parties.

In fact, former Red Bull technician Calum Nicholas certified Verstappen as a ‘party animal’. “Max [Verstappen] certainly knows how to have fun,” he said on the Red Flags podcast, recounting some of the wildest nights, including one at the US GP a couple of years ago and the Dutchman’s maiden race win at the 2016 Spanish GP.

Naturally, Lawson might not be able to match up to Verstappen. That said, the 23-year-old’s focus would much rather be on matching the Dutchman on track. Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko has downplayed the expectations on the Kiwi driver but will not tolerate another slip-up in the Constructors’ championship.

“He should be within three-tenths of Max in both in qualifying and in the race. That should be enough to get points for the Constructors’ Championship,” the Austrian had told RTL whilst outlining Lawson’s objectives for his first full-time F1 season.