- Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula One career is in danger
- Helmut Marko has questioned his future
- Ricciardo could be replaced by Liam Lawson
Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula One future is in serious jeopardy amid reports the charismatic Australian will lose his seat to Liam Lawson.
Speculation has increased after Red Bull boss Helmut Marko conducted an interview with Austrian publication Kleine Zeitung, in which he was asked about Ricciardo’s performances with the junior team, RB.
Ricciardo has failed to make a positive impression in his bid to reunite with Max Verstappen at Red Bull. As such, the conquering team has opted to retain starter Sergio Pérez for 2025.
And with Ricciardo having no chance of driving for Red Bull next year, Marko admitted that talks have been held to give the seat to Lawson, a younger driver with more potential.
“The shareholders have made it clear that this is a junior team and we have to act accordingly,” he said.
‘The goal was for (Ricciardo) to be considered for Red Bull Racing with exceptional performances. That seat now belongs to Sergio Pérez, so that plan is no longer valid.
«We will soon have to recruit a young driver there. That would be Liam Lawson.
Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula One career in serious danger after dismal season
Red Bull boss Helmut Marko said there are doubts among RB shareholders
Marko said young driver Liam Lawson is in line to take Ricciardo’s seat
Following Marko’s comments, veteran Formula One journalist Joel Saward reported that the move could be made within weeks.
“So Lawson will replace Ricciardo at some point. I guess late July,” Saward posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
That would almost certainly spell the end for Ricciardo as an F1 driver, with RB offering the veteran a lifeline after he was brutally axed by McLaren at the end of 2022.
However, in an unexpected twist, a Red Bull spokesperson later told Sportskeeda that Ricciardo’s seat is currently safe.
“There will be no changes to the driver lineup for the foreseeable future,” the representative said.
Ricciardo’s contract with RB expires at the end of the 2024 season and only a few seats remain for the 2025 campaign.