Only a few weeks ago, Daniel Ricciardo was tipped for a mid-season Red Bull promotion. Although this failed to materialise, the next few months are critical for Ricciardo’s career. Helmut Marko has recently confirmed that Liam Lawson will have an F1 seat next season. This obviously puts more pressure on Ricciardo, who believes he can rise to the challenge.
Ricciardo continues to aim for Red Bull seat
Daniel Ricciardo managed to build some momentum in the final months of the summer. Although Tsunoda has been the better VCARB driver in 2024, the gap between the teammates has clearly reduced.
Given Christian Horner’s well-established preference for Ricciardo, the Australian is still in contention for a Red Bull seat.
If Sergio Perez continues to underperform, his future will undoubtedly be re-evaluated. Regardless of Red Bull’s decision to keep him over the summer, the Mexican driver is under constant pressure.
In the background, Liam Lawson is set to join Formula 1 next season. As revealed by Helmut Marko, the 22-year-old will have a seat in 2025.
When asked about Marko’s recent comments, Daniel Ricciardo gave a very candid response:
“I still know that performance is my best friend.
“And if I do what I know I am capable of, then that puts me in a good position to stay somewhere in the family for next year.
“I’ve just got to focus on that. Speaking about Liam, he got to drive the car last year, and he did a great job.
“And I do think he is worthy of a seat on the grid. So if he is guaranteed a seat on the grid next year, that is good because he is a deserving driver.”
Uncertainty continues at Red Bull
The last six months have seen intense speculation surrounding the reigning Champions. From Adrian Newey to Max Verstappen, rumours and uncertainty have followed the team.
Until Red Bull makes a definitive decision on their driver pairing, this status quo will remain.
This environment provides an opportunity for Daniel Ricciardo and teammate Yuki Tsunoda to rise up the ranks. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez’s performances will remain under immense scrutiny this season.
As McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari continue fighting for wins, Red Bull will be tested in both F1 Championships.
