RB three-driver conundrum: Marko’s Yuki Tsunoda reveal and Liam Lawson clause reminder
Is it possible for Liam Lawson to take over Daniel Ricciardo’s RB seat?
Having locked in Red Bull’s F1 2025 line-up, attention has now turned to RB but it’s not a case of three drivers fighting for two seats, it’s two fighting for one with Yuki Tsunoda “set.”
Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, who is now tasked with choosing between Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo for the second seat, confirms this.
Liam Lawson vs Daniel Ricciardo for the second RB seat?
Earlier this week, speculation regarding Max Verstappen’s F1 2025 teammate came to an end when Red Bull confirmed that Sergio Perez had signed a new two-year extension.
Verstappen’s contract, which runs for four more years, secures the team’s line-up at Red Bull until the end of the F1 2026 season.
This implies that unless there is a surprising departure – the rumors of which persist – neither Tsunoda nor Ricciardo will be promoted to the senior team in the near future.
But the Red Bull driver conundrum doesn’t end there as they have three drivers seeking an F1 2025 seat at the junior RB team in Tsunoda, Ricciardo and reserve driver Lawson.
Marko said that Tsunoda isn’t going anywhere.
“Yuki Tsunoda is set, that’s clear,” he told Kleine Zeitung.
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This season, the Japanese driver has been the standout performer for RB, exceeding Ricciardo in all significant statistics and, most critically, in the Drivers’ Championship.
He has scored 19 points compared to the Australian’s five, and Ricciardo’s struggles early in the season have led to rumors that he might not finish the season.
Despite denials from all parties involved, there is still a chance that F1 2024 could be Ricciardo’s final year on the grid. Red Bull is faced with a significant decision – either elevate reserve driver Lawson to a race seat or risk losing him.
Last year, the Kiwi stood out as he stepped in for Ricciardo, who had broken his hand. Lawson’s ninth-place finish at the Singapore Grand Prix was the team’s highest achievement at that stage of the season.
The fact that he scored those points just 24 hours after learning he wouldn’t be promoted to a race seat for the 2024 season made his achievement even more impressive.
Marko and team leader Christian Horner are now faced with a decision between retaining Ricciardo at the risk of losing Lawson, and vice versa. This is due to a contract with Lawson, a Kiwi, which states that he either races next year or is “free” to depart.
“Lawson is present at every race and we maintain close communication,” stated Marko. “There is a provision with Lawson. If we fail to provide him an active seat, he is available for other teams.”
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