F1 News: Red Bull Insider Hints At Daniel Ricciardo Drop – ‘Soon’

In a revealing announcement that has sparked further speculation in the Formula 1 paddock, Dr Helmut Marko of Red Bull Racing has unveiled a significant role for driver Liam Lawson within the team. Marko underscored that Lawson is poised to join the newly named VCARB team, formerly known as AlphaTauri, signaling a fresh focus on the bolstering of young talent.

The backdrop to this strategic maneuver is the increasingly tenuous position of Daniel Ricciardo, whose ambitions to ascend to Red Bull Racing have been thwarted. Despite his high hopes, his path was blocked as Max Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez cemented his place on the team with a 1+1 contract extension. Marko’s recent comments have cast further doubt on Ricciardo’s continuation with Red Bull’s secondary team, VCARB or RB, into the upcoming season. Marko explained to Kleine Zeutung, translated by Google:

“The shareholders have made it known that it is a junior team and we have to act accordingly. The goal was that he [Ricciardo] would be considered for Red Bull with exceptional performances. That seat now belongs to Perez, so that plan is no longer valid.

“We will have to put a young driver in there soon. That would be Liam Lawson.”

Daniel Ricciardo’s journey has been fraught with challenges, notably a mid-season return in 2023 to replace Nyck de Vries, and a subsequent injury—a broken wrist—that benched him for several races, significantly impeding his performance.

In contrast, Liam Lawson, a reserve driver for Red Bull, seized the opportunity to showcase his skills when stepping in for the injured Ricciardo last year which led many to believe he would secure a seat for the 2024 season. However, Perez’s contract extension with Red Bull and the confirmed driver lineup for 2024, which included Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, placed Lawson’s hopes for a primary seat on hold until possibly 2025.

Marko’s recent comments underscore a significant pivot for Red Bull’s team dynamics, illustrating a shift toward nurturing emerging racers while managing the intricate balance of experience and potential across its squads. Marko’s positioning of Lawson hints at a restructured approach that not only aims to secure competitive advantage but also ensures sustainability through continuous talent development.

VCARB runs the risk of losing Lawson as the driver has also been linked to a move to Sauber, which will become Audi in 2026, if he does not secure a Formula 1 seat within the Red Bull family for 2025.