A marriage proposal wasn’t the only surprise for a bride-to-be after F1 driver Liam Lawson crashed a happy couple’s engagement at a Central Otago race circuit.
Apprentice electrician Jayden Butler chose Highlands Motorsport Park as the location for his proposal to partner Zoe Kenny, as both enjoy car racing and the race circuit is in Kenny’s hometown of Cromwell.
The Christchurch couple arrived at the park earlier than initially planned on December 23 after hearing the Racing Bulls driver was at Highlands and signing autographs.
But their initial disappointment at missing out on nabbing Lawson’s signature was short-lived, after the driver taking Butler on his “hot laps” racing excursion before the planned post-circuit proposal asked if the 21-year-old “wanted to do something more extravagant” for the big moment.
While Highlands staff fetched Lawson, Butler proposed to his partner of almost five years before the race car driver arrived with a bottle of Central Otago’s Quartz Reef sparkling wine and words of congratulations, Butler said.
Photos of the moment show Kenny embracing Lawson as her new fiance stood to the side, a sight Butler agreed was a wee bit funny given the timing.
“I wasn’t too worried. If it was just some random bloke I would be,” he said.
Kenny, a 22-year-old apprentice builder, was delighted with the surprise and Lawson’s generosity in sharing their special moment, Butler said.
“He was a really good guy. Really down to earth.”
As well as the wine, Lawson signed a hat and a miniature F1 car which, along with a Lego replica of the hot laps car and a photo of the trio, has been put on a home-made stand for posterity.
Highlands Motorsport Park also offered their congratulations to the couple in a post to their Facebook page.
“Not every day you say “yes”… and then get surprised by an F1 driver!”
Staff still weren’t sure if the future bride was “more shocked by the ring or Liam turning up with a bottle of bubbles”, the company wrote.
“Thank you for choosing to make Highlands part of such a special moment.”
More than 620 people had reacted to the post by 10am, dropping thumbs up or heart emojis on the involvement in the romantic gesture.
As “big fans of F1″ they were “incredibly grateful” Highlands were able to organise Lawson’s involvement, Butler commented below the post.
“Thank you guys for making the experience so memorable.”
Lawson completed his first full season in Formula One this year, with seven points finishes and his Racing Bulls team finishing sixth in the constructors championship, the Herald reported on December 8.
The 23-year-old has been confirmed to stay on the grid next year as part of Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s sister racing outfit.
Having earlier been named to partner Max Verstappen, the season’s first two races saw Red Bull make the harsh decision to drop Lawson back to Racing Bulls, and have Yuki Tsunoda take his place.
However, in the 22 races since, Lawson had been able to rebuild with Racing Bulls, and now found himself on the 2026 grid at Tsunoda’s expense.