SUMMARY
- Daniel Ricciardo faces performance ultimatum after lackluster season start at Red Bull.
- Liam Lawson emerges as potential replacement, impressing with his speed and competitive spirit.
VCARB driver Daniel Ricciardo might have just hit a roadblock for a highly anticipated comeback at Red Bull. Following a disappointing stint at McLaren, Ricciardo rejoined Red Bull as a reserve driver with aspirations for a renewed championship run until he was hired by AlphaTauri. However, his performance in the 2023 season has fallen short of expectations, with a concerning lack of points scored.
This underwhelming start has cast a shadow over his future at Red Bull, with reports suggesting the team advisor Helmut Marko has issued a performance ultimatum. Marko is said to have demanded improvement from Ricciardo in the next two races. Failure to do so could see him replaced by Red Bull reserve driver, Liam Lawson, who impressed the F1 community with his short stint in the previous season.
Liam Lawson potentially replacing Daniel Ricciardo after Chinese GP
Lawson, a talented young driver from New Zealand, impressed during his substitute appearances for the Aussie at AlphaTauri last year. While experience ultimately secured Ricciardo the starting role at Red Bull, Lawson’s raw pace and competitive edge against established drivers established him as a potential long-term partner for Max Verstappen.
Daniel Ricciardo spins again and TV director then switching to his replacement – Liam Lawson.
He is officially done guys… ❌ #JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/aE76Ptm8jj
— Maxx | F1newsletter.com (@F1_Newsletter) April 6, 2024
However, the Austrian outfit has officially denied the “two-race ultimatum” reports. A Red Bull spokesperson recently stated, “Those rumors are not true. There is no deadline.” However, the pressure on Ricciardo is undeniable. His teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, a driver initially viewed as a gamble by Red Bull, has already secured points, further highlighting Ricciardo’s struggles.
This tension was evident at the chaotic Japanese Grand Prix, where the 34-year-old driver came in contact with Alex Albon resulted in an early retirement. Cameras panning to the Red Bull pit wall revealed Lawson, a constant reminder of the potential change looming over Daniel Ricciardo’s position. However, the threat of the Kiwi’s promotion remains a threat still.
Lawson aims for F1 spot in 2025 beyond Red Bull
The 22-year-old driver, who has honed his skills within the Red Bull junior program for over five years, has set his sights on a much-desired Formula 1 race seat by 2025. Undeterred by the setbacks rom 2023, Lawson reportedly communicated his bold ambition to secure a full-time F1 drive, even if it meant pursuing opportunities outside the Red Bull camp.
📰: Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson eyes 2025 F1 seat after being overlooked for 2024. Despite impressive stand-in performances, Lawson seeks full-time grid spot, potentially beyond Red Bull. #F1 pic.twitter.com/loOKmOSeOc
— F1 Naija (@f1_naija) March 28, 2024
According to Motorsportweek.com, Lawson stated, “Obviously, for me, the dream is to drive with Red Bull, and I’ve been with them now for more than five years. They’re the most competitive team in Formula 1 right now, so if I could choose, I would drive for them. But my dream is to be in Formula 1, and if it can’t be with them, then obviously, I need to try and make that happen with somebody else.”
This strategic move appears to have yielded positive results, with recent media reports suggesting that Red Bull has acknowledged Lawson’s talent and potential, and for the time being, guaranteeing him a race seat in 2025. Lawson has emerged as a budding talent in the F1 grid which positions him as a driver to watch closely in the upcoming seasons.