Could Liam Lawson be headed again to the Formula 1 grid for the 2025 season?
According to current feedback from Red Bull Senior Advisor Dr. Helmut Marko, that would certainly be the case, leaving veteran driver Daniel Ricciardo on the surface trying in.
Speaking with Austrian outlet Kleine Zeitung forward of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, Marko indicated {that a} transfer in a youthful path at Visa Cash App RB F1 Team could also be coming down from on excessive. “The shareholders have made it clear that [VCARB] is a junior staff and we have now to behave accordingly,” said the Red Bull advisor.
That might very effectively imply that Ricciardo is out, and Lawson is in, for 2025.
“The intention was for Ricciardo to qualify for a return to Red Bull Racing with distinctive performances. That seat now belongs to Sergio Perez, in order that plan is off the desk. We must put in a younger driver quickly,” continued Marko. “That can be Liam Lawson.”
The feedback come not solely days forward of the F1 Austrian Grand Prix, however per week after Ricciardo himself indicated that he needed to “earn” his spot at VCARB for subsequent season. Speaking on the FIA Press Conference in Barcelona forward of the Spanish Grand Prix, Ricciardo mentioned that “I additionally mentioned, I believe, earlier than the weekend in Canada that, you realize, I clearly wish to earn it … I clearly wish to be right here as a result of I do know that I nonetheless belong right here and may do can do performances like I did final week. So it’s additionally as much as me simply to make it possible for I can maintain pulling it out. And in that case, then I’ll be very comfortable to remain.”
However, the orders kind shareholders referred to by Marko, in addition to a clause in Lawson’s contract that permits him to hunt a seat elsewhere and go away Red Bull if he doesn’t have a journey with the staff, might drive the group’s hand. With the 2025 driver lineup remaining unsettled and a variety of open seats obtainable on the grid, Lawson might discover quite a lot of potential suitors for subsequent yr ought to VCARB resolve to retain Ricciardo.
What may that imply for Ricciardo if that is certainly the trail Red Bull and VCARB take? As famous above there are nonetheless obtainable seats for 2025, and Ricciardo stays a marketable driver with a resume that features Grand Prix victories and up to date robust performances at each VCARB and AlphaTauri a season in the past. If that isn’t sufficient to maintain him at VCARB, might or not it’s sufficient for one more staff to present him a shot for subsequent yr?
We will know quickly sufficient.
