In a dramatic twist, Daniel Ricciardo may soon lose his seat to rising star Liam Lawson.
Helmut Marko, Director of the Red Bull Formula One teams and head of Red Bull’s driver development programme, made explosive comments about the Australian driver that have set the F1 world abuzz.
Veteran journalist Joe Saward broke the bombshell news, citing an interview Marko gave to Austrian publication Kleine Zeitung.
Marko revealed, “The shareholders have made it clear that [VCARB] is a junior team and we have to act accordingly.”
“The goal was that [Ricciardo] would be considered for Red Bull Racing with exceptional performances. That seat now belongs to Sergio Perez, so that plan is no longer valid.”
Marko didn’t stop there, adding, “We will have to put a young driver in there soon. That would be Liam Lawson.”
Saward further reported that this swap could happen in mere weeks.
So, Lawson will be in for Ricciardo at some point. I'd guess the end of July…
— Joe Saward (@joesaward) June 26, 2024
Ricciardo’s contract with Red Bull expires at the end of the 2024 season, leaving his future in the sport uncertain.
However, sportskeeda received a statement from a senior Red Bull Racing spokesperson saying that, “there would be no change to the lineup of the team for 2025. A midseason swap between Daniel Ricciardo and Lawson was not a possibility either.”
Team CEO Christian Horner has also chimed in, stating that no decision has been made yet and that the Milton Keynes-based team will evaluate their options and analyze their data over the upcoming summer break.
With only a few seats left to be finalized for the 2025 season across the Formula 1 grid, Ricciardo finds himself among several top drivers suddenly on the lookout for a new opportunity.
