- The Australian driver is under increasing pressure to perform with RB
- Has had a slow start to the 2024 season with the Red Bull affiliate
- He could be replaced by a promising New Zealand driver
The clock is ticking for Australian F1 star Daniel Ricciardo and Red Bull senior adviser Helmut Marko suggests he be replaced by New Zealand rival Liam Lawson before the end of the year.
Ricciardo faces pressure to improve after a difficult start, having been overtaken by teammate Yuki Tsunoda in the first four races.
Ricciardo has lost every qualifying session to Tsunoda 4-0 and trails him 3-1 late in the race, with his only advantage coming down to team orders in Bahrain.
Initially hoping for a strong 2024 to secure his place at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, Ricciardo is now fighting for his future with the team while Liam Lawson waits for an opportunity.
“Obviously we have in Liam Lawson as a reserve driver a strong driver in the team, who by contract is free to compete with another team if he does not get a seat with us in 2025,” Marko told an Austrian publication. small newspaper.
‘In this sense, it would be exciting for us if we could see him already in F1 this year, to have an even clearer idea.
“But this is a complex issue, we have to wait and see how it evolves.”
Ricciardo is firmly under pressure after a slow start to the 2024 F1 season with RB and is under increasing pressure to perform and keep his seat.
New Zealand driver Liam Lawson had been named for a seat at Red Bull Racing, but could replace Ricciardo at RB.
Last year, there were rumors that Liam Lawson agreed to become Red Bull’s reserve driver for 2024, with the promise of a racing seat in 2025.
However, recent comments from Helmut Marko clarified that while Lawson could get a seat in the race, it is not guaranteed it will be with Red Bull Racing or the affiliated RB team where Ricciardo currently competes.
Marko mentioned that it would be “exciting” to see Lawson race this year, adding more pressure on Ricciardo. Marko also noted that Ricciardo has not lived up to expectations and is currently being outperformed by teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
“The expectation was that I had to be clearly faster than Yuki if I was to have any hope of getting a seat at Red Bull,” Marko said.
‘That hasn’t been the case so far, even if it was close [in Japan]. We will see how that evolves.”
Marko, pictured with Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner and Ricciardo, said the Australian could be replaced as early as this season.
Legendary team owner Eddie Jordan also doesn’t believe Ricciardo will finish the season with Red Bull Racing.
Marko’s claims were echoed by legendary team owner Eddie Jordan, who said he believed Ricciardo’s time was up in the show’s final episode. Formula for success podcast.
“I think his time is up, he hasn’t done enough for me to warrant a move to the Red Bull team,” Jordan said.
‘In fact, I’m not sure he’s done enough for me to be able to stay where he is.
“So he’s another person who will be a big loss for Formula 1, so I hope he can stay in or out of the team.”
‘In fact, I’m not sure he’s done enough for me to be able to stay where he is.
“So he’s another person who will be a big loss for Formula 1, so I hope he can stay in or out of the team.”
“I still believe there is a great place for Daniel Ricciardo, whether it’s on TV or commentary or whatever.
“Of course, it’s not the same as driving the car, but if you’re not able to win or be on the podium or do great things with the car, then why not look for another alternative?”