Helmut Marko has suggested that Red Bull Racing may soon promote Liam Lawson to an F1 race seat, indicating a shift towards their tradition of nurturing young talent as mandated by the team’s shareholders.
Daniel Ricciardo, who returned to F1 with Red Bull (formerly AlphaTauri) in 2023, has faced challenges, scoring only two points finishes in 17 races since his comeback. Ricciardo’s season was further complicated by a hand injury early on, which allowed Lawson, Red Bull’s reserve driver, to impress in several races.
Despite Lawson’s strong performances, including a notable result in Singapore, Red Bull opted to retain Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda for the 2024 season. Marko disclosed that Lawson’s contract includes a clause allowing him to leave if not promoted by 2025. With Tsunoda confirmed for 2024, Lawson’s future at Red Bull hinges on Ricciardo, whose hopes for a return to Red Bull Racing were dashed by Sergio Perez’s contract extension.
Marko emphasized Red Bull’s commitment to nurturing young drivers, stating, “The shareholders have made it clear that we must prioritize young talent. We will need to integrate Liam Lawson into the team soon.” Ricciardo, despite a challenging season with sporadic strong performances, remains optimistic about his future, aiming to improve and secure his place with Red Bull for 2025.
In Montreal, Ricciardo expressed determination to elevate his performance and prove himself worthy of a continued role at Red Bull, reflecting his ongoing ambition to return to the top echelon of Formula 1.