F1 star facing sack announcement at Singapore Grand Prix after...

F1 star facing sack announcement at Singapore Grand Prix after…read more

Daniel Ricciardo’s future in Formula 1 could be determined this weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix, with reports suggesting that Liam Lawson is set to be announced as Yuki Tsunoda’s teammate at AlphaTauri (formerly known as Faenza-based team). Ricciardo, an eight-time Grand Prix winner, faces the harsh reality of potentially being without a seat for the 2024 season, as options within the Red Bull racing structure grow slim.

The Australian driver’s challenging season has been closely monitored by the motorsport world, with Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, repeatedly praising Lawson and hinting at his promotion. Earlier this year in Baku, Marko confirmed that a decision on AlphaTauri’s lineup would be announced during the Singapore Grand Prix, which is now just days away. With Tsunoda already locked in for another season, all eyes are on who will fill the remaining seat.

For Ricciardo, the prospects of staying in Formula 1 are becoming increasingly uncertain. A popular and highly regarded figure within the sport, his performances since rejoining AlphaTauri have not lived up to expectations. Ricciardo’s return to the sport after his brief hiatus, following a stint with McLaren that ended with mutual agreement, was intended to be a stepping stone back to competitive racing. However, with only one points-scoring finish in his last seven races, his results have left much to be desired.

Sky Sports F1 analyst Ted Kravitz weighed in on the situation, emphasizing the growing sentiment that Lawson will be confirmed as Tsunoda’s teammate. “Helmut Marko says it will be after Singapore – we’ve been waiting to hear who will be Yuki Tsunoda’s partner at Red Bull’s sister team next year,” Kravitz explained. “Marko is teasing that it’s now after Singapore that we will hear whether it’s going to be Ricciardo or Lawson. We think it’s going to be Liam Lawson.”

Lawson, a promising young talent from New Zealand, has impressed Red Bull with his consistent performances in Formula 2 and his development work behind the scenes. The 21-year-old has been viewed as a potential future star for some time, and Red Bull is eager to give him a full-time seat in Formula 1 before other opportunities emerge for the rising driver.

Lead commentator for Formula 1, David Croft, believes that Ricciardo’s recent struggles may have been the final factor in AlphaTauri’s decision to move forward with Lawson. “It’s the ultimate hero or zero for him – he either replaces Sergio Perez or he doesn’t drive in Formula One,” Croft said, speaking to Wide World of Sports. “You can’t get more hero or zero than that.”

Ricciardo’s struggles were highlighted during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, where he finished a disappointing 13th. Despite showing flashes of brilliance during his career, including victories in Monaco and multiple podium finishes, Ricciardo has found it difficult to regain his form in recent seasons. His departure from Red Bull in 2018 to join Renault (and later McLaren) was seen by some as a mistake in hindsight, and Croft echoed this sentiment: “I feel really sorry for Daniel. He’s a tremendous talent who has excited and delighted us all for many years in Formula One. But he made the wrong choice. He should never have left Red Bull in the first place.”

For Ricciardo, the only remaining option to stay in Formula 1 appears to be securing a seat at Red Bull Racing alongside reigning world champion Max Verstappen. However, this scenario seems increasingly unlikely given Sergio Perez’s recent performance. Despite not finishing on the podium in Baku, Perez delivered one of his strongest drives of the season, cementing his place within the team. If Perez can maintain this level of performance, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner may find the decision to keep him an easy one.

With limited opportunities remaining outside the Red Bull structure, Ricciardo’s once-promising career in Formula 1 could be nearing an abrupt end. The upcoming announcement at the Singapore Grand Prix may confirm Lawson’s promotion, leaving Ricciardo’s future hanging in the balance. Should the worst happen, Ricciardo will have to look outside of F1 for new racing opportunities, as his time on the grid might be coming to a close. The weekend ahead could very well be the final chapter in his F1 journey.