Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has dismissed some of the rumours surrounding Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo.
As ever, the Racing Bulls (also known as VCARB or RB) are at the centre of F1 news. Speculation surrounding the Faenza-based team’s driver combination is common. Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda are under pressure to deliver, both to make their case for a Red Bull promotion and – perhaps more pressingly – to avoid being replaced by Liam Lawson. In recent weeks, speculation surrounding Lawson’s future has intensified.
A few weeks ago, LWOS reported that Lawson is not guaranteed a seat next season. Despite his impressive cameo performances last year, the Kiwi has to wait for Red Bull’s final verdict on their 2025 line-up.
However, contradictory F1 news stories have circulated in the meantime. Most notably, there have been suggestions from other publications that Ricciardo was at risk of a mid-season swap. With the Australian failing to find his best form, there was fertile ground for these rumours to escalate.
With that said, Daniel Ricciardo put in a very strong performance last weekend in Miami. Although Yuki Tsunoda ultimately performed better and secured P7 on Sunday, the 8-time race winner reminded the field of what he’s capable of in the Saturday Sprint.
Evidently, these results will improve both driver’s standings at VCARB.
Red Bull addresses Ricciardo and Lawson’s rumours
Speaking after the Miami GP, Helmut Marko has utterly rejected any suggestions that Red Bull were going to replace Ricciardo in Imola:
“The rumours that Ricciardo will be replaced by Liam Lawson at Imola are nonsense,” he insists.
“Liam’s manager from New Zealand was there, apparently he has certain dreams and they are made known through some media – including from New Zealand.
“Nothing at all is planned in Imola.”
Of course, the idea of a driver being replaced at Imola – round seven of the season – is already a very extreme proposition. Therefore, Marko’s dismissal of this speculation only confirms that Red Bull is not looking to repeat some of their previously controversial swaps.
The reigning Champions have made clear that no decisions for 2025 will be made until the summer. This is an understandable position, given that several drivers are available in the market.
VCARB’s duo of Tsunoda and Ricciardo represent the traditional pool of drivers Red Bull would choose from. However, Carlos Sainz is seen as a more viable option for the Austrian squad. Red Bull is increasingly looking elsewhere on the grid for potential teammates to Verstappen.
Amidst all these variables, Liam Lawson can only wait from the sidelines. He will hope that an opening presents itself. That said, this is not a foregone conclusion.
