Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula One career could be over NEXT MONTH after Red Bull chief Helmut Marko’s stunning Liam Lawson revelation
- Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career is at stake
- Helmut Marko has sown doubts about his future
- Ricciardo could be replaced by Liam Lawson
Daniel Ricciardo’s future in Formula 1 is in serious jeopardy amid reports that the charismatic Australian will lose his seat to Liam Lawson.
Speculations mounted after Red Bull chief Helmut Marko conducted an interview with Austrian publication Kleine Zeitung, in which he was asked about Ricciardo’s performance with junior team RB.
Ricciardo has failed to make a positive impression in his bid to reunite with Max Verstappen at Red Bull. That is why the all-conquering team has chosen to retain current driver Sergio Perez for 2025.
And with Ricciardo having no chance of driving for Red Bull next year, Marko admitted discussions have been postponed about giving 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 that (Ricciardo) would qualify for Red Bull Racing with exceptional performances. That seat is now Sergio Perez, so that plan is no longer valid.
‘We will soon have to put a young driver in there. That would be Liam Lawson.”
Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career is at stake after a bad season
Red Bull CEO 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 1 journalist Joel Saward reported that the move could take place within weeks.
‘So Lawson will replace Ricciardo at some point. My guess is late July,” Saward posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
That would almost certainly mean the end for Ricciardo as a Formula 1 driver. RB offered the veteran a lifeline after he was brutally fired by McLaren at the end of 2022.
However, in a twist, a Red Bull Sportskeeda spokesperson later told us that Ricciardo’s seat is currently safe.
“There will be no changes to the driver line-up in the near future,” the representative said.
Ricciardo’s contract with RB expires at the end of the 2024 season, leaving only a few seats available for the 2025 season.