Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 future has become a topic of intense speculation particularly with the announcement regarding his potential RB replacement ‘expected’ ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan GP.
As the Azerbaijan GP approaches the Australian driver finds himself at a critical juncture in his career, facing pressure from both his performance and the rising star of Liam Lawson, who is poised to take over his seat at Visa Cash App RB.
Following a tumultuous period with McLaren, Daniel Ricciardo made a return to F1 with Red Bull as a reserve driver, eventually stepping in as Nyck de Vries’ RB replacement. His return was met with high hopes, but the reality has been a mixed bag.
Ricciardo has struggled to match the performance of his teammate Yuki Tsunoda particularly in the early races of the season. Despite his experience and past successes, including eight Grand Prix wins, his recent outings have raised questions about his F1 future.
Ricciardo’s performances have been inconsistent, with many observers noting that he has not yet found his rhythm in the RB car. The disparity in results between him and Tsunoda has been stark, with the Japanese driver regularly finishing in points-scoring positions while Ric struggles to deliver results.
His inconsistency has led to increased scrutiny from team management, particularly from Red Bull’s senior advisor Helmut Marko who has made it clear the team is focused on promoting young talent, which puts Ricciardo’s F1 future at risk.
The emergence of Liam Lawson, who impressed during his stint as a substitute driver, has further complicated the 35-year old’s situation. Lawson’s performances have not only drawn attention but have also made him a strong candidate for a full-time seat in 2025.
As the Azerbaijan GP approaches, speculation is rife about an imminent announcement regarding Ricciardo’s F1 future. Sky Sports pundit Ted Kravitz hinted that an announcement could come soon, potentially confirming Lawson as Tsunoda’s teammate for the next season.
Kravitz noted that Ricciardo had “telegraphed” the likelihood of a driver announcement, suggesting that the team is preparing to make a decision that could impact his career trajectory.
“Are we going to have a driver announcement at RB before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?” Kravitz said. “We are all expecting it. Ricciardo pretty much telegraphed it on Thursday.
“Is that driver announcement going to be that Liam Lawson will partner Yuki Tsunoda next year? That is what everyone is expecting.”
The expectation is that Lawson will be confirmed as the new driver, which would leave Ricciardo’s future uncertain as he seeks to remain competitive in F1.
