The future of Ricciardo at RB is uncertain beyond 2024.
RB announced that they will have a “private discussion” during the summer break to determine whether Daniel Ricciardo will continue with the team in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The Faenza-based team has chosen to keep Yuki Tsunoda for the next season and must now decide with Red Bull whether to keep Ricciardo or promote reserve driver Liam Lawson.
Despite having the opportunity to prove himself and return to the Red Bull main team, Ricciardo has struggled to deliver consistent results since his return.
With the signing of a contract extension for Sergio Perez, Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko expressed the shareholders’ desire to see young talents integrated into RB.
Lawson impressed during his appearances last season when he replaced Ricciardo, and he has the option to explore other opportunities if he does not secure a spot at Red Bull.
While the driver market generates as much interest as the action on the track, RB CEO Peter Bayer admitted that the team is not in a hurry to announce its lineup.
“We are not in a hurry to make a decision about next year’s lineup,” Bayer said in Austria. “We have confirmed Yuki, which was very important to us.
“Our current focus is on the car. We will go into the summer break and have a private discussion.”
Bayer praised Ricciardo for his contribution since joining the Italian team last summer but acknowledged that RB is committed to developing young talent.
“Daniel has certainly been of great help to us,” he acknowledged.
“When he joined the team last year, he brought renewed energy and spirit, and has been extremely supportive of Yuki.
“Yuki recently stated that he continues to learn from Daniel.
“As part of our shareholder mission, it is our job to develop pilots, and that is what we are currently doing.
“Liam is a member of the team, serving as our test pilot. He works in the simulator and, as most of you know, he will be testing a 2022 car in Imola.
“But the decision regarding the second seat will be made privately, and we are not in a hurry.”
The head of Red Bull, Christian Horner, who played a role in Ricciardo’s return, did not rule out the possibility of replacing the Australian during the season if his results do not improve.
“They are all Red Bull Racing drivers, and every Red Bull driver knows that there is always pressure and scrutiny,” he said.
“Daniel is in the seat, and it is up to him to make the most of it. In Formula 1, things are always subject to change.”
