Source: REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
[Saba Sports News] 34-year-old Daniel Ricciardo has been struggling since his return to F1 with the Alpha Tauri team in the 2023 season, scoring only two points in 17 Grand Prix races. After his teammate Yuki Tsunoda was confirmed as Alpha Tauri’s driver for the 2025 season earlier this month, the battle for the team’s second driver’s seat is likely to be between Ricciardo and Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson. Liam Lawson impressed in five races last year as a substitute for the injured Ricciardo. Earlier this year, longtime Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko revealed that a clause in Lawson’s contract would allow the 22-year-old to leave Toro Rosso entirely if he is not promoted to a permanent driver’s seat in F1 for 2025. Speaking to an Austrian publication this week, Marko revealed that Red Bull Racing “will have to” promote Lawson in the near future in response to demands from Red Bull Racing shareholders. Shareholders are eager to see the team return to its roots as a team that develops young drivers. Ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, Ricciardo revealed in interviews with media outlets such as PlanetF1.com that he has not received an “ultimatum” from Red Bull’s top management, does not feel pressure regarding his seat, and will focus on the current race.