Helmut Marko confirms Liam Lawson's...as

Helmut Marko confirms Liam Lawson’s…as Daniel Ricciardo put on…Read More

Liam Lawson is set to secure a full-time Formula 1 seat next season, a significant development confirmed by Helmut Marko, the Red Bull advisor. This move could spell trouble for Daniel Ricciardo, who is now under increasing pressure with just 10 races remaining this season.

The 22-year-old New Zealander turned heads in 2023 when he stepped in for Ricciardo during the latter’s injury lay-off. Lawson’s performances were strong enough to generate a buzz around his potential, yet Red Bull decided against offering him a full-time seat for the 2024 season. Instead, Lawson was relegated to a test and reserve driver role, with the promise of a future F1 opportunity in 2025 keeping him in Red Bull’s driver pool.

Now, Red Bull is delivering on that promise. Marko, speaking to the Austrian publication Kleine Zeitung ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, confirmed that Lawson would be racing full-time in 2025. “Next year he’ll be sitting in one of our cars,” Marko stated, leaving little room for speculation about Lawson’s future with the team.

This news adds significant pressure on Ricciardo, who was brought back into Formula 1 by Red Bull earlier this year in hopes of reigniting his career. Ricciardo, a former Red Bull star, joined the AlphaTauri (formerly Toro Rosso) team in mid-2023 after a challenging period with McLaren. His return to the grid was seen as a chance for redemption, but the reality is that his future now hangs in the balance.

With Yuki Tsunoda already confirmed for a 2025 seat with the team, Lawson’s impending arrival means Ricciardo’s place at AlphaTauri could be in jeopardy. As it stands, the only viable path for Ricciardo to remain in Formula 1 beyond 2024 is securing a spot in Red Bull’s main team, currently occupied by Sergio Perez alongside Max Verstappen.

For Ricciardo, it’s an all-or-nothing scenario. The Australian has made it clear that he is not interested in exploring opportunities with other teams, placing all his hopes on earning the second Red Bull seat. His future in the sport hinges on Perez’s performances over the remaining races. Should Perez falter, the door could open for Ricciardo to step up; otherwise, his days in F1 might be numbered.

Perez’s form has been under scrutiny for much of the 2023 season. Although he has shown flashes of brilliance, his inconsistency remains a concern for Red Bull. Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, and Marko decided to stick with Perez during the summer break, despite growing speculation about his potential exit. Many expected Perez to be replaced by Ricciardo, but Red Bull opted to give the Mexican driver more time to prove himself.

“If ‘Checo’ can consistently bring his normal speed, we’ll be happy,” Marko said, addressing Perez’s situation. “But he always has these fluctuations somewhere, whether in qualifying or a certain part of the race. The consistency is not there, that’s the problem.”

Perez’s struggles have left the door slightly ajar for Ricciardo, but the Australian’s chances of securing that Red Bull seat are far from guaranteed. Ricciardo needs to perform at his very best in the final races of the season to keep his hopes alive. However, even if Perez continues to face challenges, there is no certainty that Red Bull will replace him with Ricciardo.

The pressure on Ricciardo is immense. At 35, he is no longer seen as a long-term option for Red Bull, which could make them hesitant to make him a permanent fixture in the main team. On the other hand, Lawson’s youth and potential offer a fresh, dynamic alternative for the future, making him an attractive prospect for the team.

Ultimately, the next few months will be crucial for both Ricciardo and Perez. The Australian must capitalize on every opportunity to showcase his abilities, while Perez will need to find the consistency that has so far eluded him. As for Lawson, his confirmation as a full-time F1 driver next year signifies that Red Bull’s future plans are beginning to take shape, and Ricciardo’s fate could be determined sooner rather than later.