The 2024 season has been far from kind to Daniel Ricciardo, with the once-celebrated driver struggling to keep pace with his Red Bull junior teammate. Now, rumors are swirling that Liam Lawson, Red Bull’s rising star, is on the verge of being announced as Ricciardo’s replacement for the 2025 season, potentially spelling the end of Ricciardo’s storied career in Formula 1.
As the Singapore Grand Prix looms, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko recently hinted that a significant announcement regarding Lawson’s future would be made during the race weekend. Speculation has been rife that the 22-year-old New Zealander will be promoted to a full-time Red Bull seat, taking over from Ricciardo, whose disappointing 2024 campaign has raised doubts about his place on the grid.
According to reports from LWOS, Lawson’s 2025 signing is all but confirmed. For Ricciardo, this development comes as a major blow after a season that has seen him secure a meager 12 points, a far cry from the form that once made him one of the most exciting talents in Formula 1. His inconsistent performances have left Red Bull with little choice but to explore other options, and Lawson’s impressive potential has put him at the forefront.
While nothing is set in stone just yet, Ricciardo’s position appears increasingly precarious. The Australian driver now faces the daunting task of proving his worth in the remaining seven races of the season, starting with the notoriously demanding Singapore Grand Prix. Despite the pressure mounting, Ricciardo remains focused on delivering a strong result in one of the toughest races on the calendar.
The 34-year-old will need to dig deep if he hopes to stave off the inevitable and show Red Bull that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. The Marina Bay Street Circuit is physically grueling, with high temperatures and humidity testing even the fittest drivers, but Ricciardo knows that strong performances in the final races could provide a lifeline for his career.
Meanwhile, Lawson’s ascension seems inevitable. Having caught the attention of Red Bull’s top brass, the young talent looks poised to secure a permanent place on the grid. If reports are to be believed, the announcement could come as early as this weekend in Singapore, marking a pivotal moment in the careers of both Lawson and Ricciardo.
For Ricciardo, the clock is ticking. With his Red Bull teammate consistently outperforming him this season, time is running out for the eight-time Grand Prix winner to turn things around. Whether he can pull off a last-minute resurgence remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the pressure has never been higher for the Australian as he fights to keep his place in Formula 1.
