In a bold statement, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has hinted that Daniel Ricciardo could make a sensational return to the team if current drivers Sergio Perez or Liam Lawson fail to deliver in the remaining 2024 season. After parting ways with Ricciardo and bringing Lawson into the fold, Red Bull is still keeping the door open for the Aussie driver, suggesting that poor performances from their current roster could lead to a reshuffle.
Red Bull’s recent move to replace Nyck de Vries with Lawson for the remainder of 2024 has turned heads, with Horner acknowledging that the team will be monitoring both Lawson and Perez closely. If either underperforms, Ricciardo—despite being on the sidelines—could be the first choice to step back into the cockpit.
“We’ve made it very clear that we want him [Ricciardo] to remain in an ambassadorial capacity with the team, and of course, one never really knows,” said Horner. His comments suggest that Ricciardo could be more than just an ambassador for Red Bull, with the potential to make a comeback if the current driver lineup doesn’t meet expectations.
The pressure is particularly mounting on Sergio Perez, who started the 2024 season strongly but has since struggled to maintain form. After a promising start where he consistently finished in the top three in the opening five races, his performances have tailed off, leading to questions about his long-term place in the team. Even after Red Bull extended his contract in an effort to motivate him, Perez has continued to falter, leaving Horner to hint at potential changes if things don’t improve.
“Obviously, if Checo finds his form and rediscovers the shape he was in at the beginning of the year, nothing changes,” Horner stated. “But if Liam doesn’t get the job done, if Checo doesn’t get the job done, we know what Daniel’s capability is.”
Horner’s words put both Lawson and Perez on notice, with six races left to prove their value. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix saw Perez battling for a podium finish before a crash with Charles Leclerc ended his chances, marking another missed opportunity for the Mexican driver to reassert his standing within the team.
With Perez’s form in question and the high expectations on Lawson, Red Bull’s 2024 lineup is far from set in stone. Ricciardo, who has remained connected to the team despite his departure, could be the key to shaking things up if performances don’t meet Red Bull’s high standards. The next few races will likely determine whether Ricciardo gets the call for a dramatic return to the team that he once led to multiple victories.
