Daniel Ricciardo F1 News: Red Bull boss Christian Horner reveals 'options' for Australian driver

Red Bull

Horner reveals Ricciardo 'options' at Red Bull

The Australian's future still hangs in the balance

Rhys Thomas

Tuesday 27 August 2024 21:57 Updated: 11:34

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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has offered an update regarding Daniel Ricciardo's prospects beyond 2024.

The Australian is contracted at Visa Cash App RB until the end of the season, though his future after that is yet to be confirmed.

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Horner ended speculation surrounding Sergio Perez's immediate future by confirming that the Mexican would remain with Red Bull until at least the end of the season amid reports he would be ousted in favour of Ricciardo.

Meanwhile, Ricciardo has also been linked with a permanent exit from the grid having been bested by team-mate Yuki Tsunoda so far this season. So, what is in store for the 35-year-old?

Daniel Ricciardo's future is still to be decided by Red Bull

Sergio Perez's future is also unclear despite a recent contract extension

Where will Daniel Ricciardo be in 2025?

With Ricciardo's future subject to regular discussion, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko appeared to throw doubt over the continuation of one current star beyond 2025.

The 81-year-old, who is also in charge of the team's driver development programme, claimed that Liam Lawson would be in an F1 car in 2025.

The New Zealand racer replaced Ricciardo for five races in 2023 when the Australian was injured in a crash at the Dutch Grand Prix, and is touted to be the next driver from the Red Bull production line to get a full-time seat in F1.

This would likely come at the expense of Ricciardo or Perez, with Tsunoda seeming certain to see through the one-year extension to his RB contract into 2025.

Could Daniel Ricciardo be replaced by Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls in 2025?

However, Horner denied that Lawson would certainly be replacing one of the two at risk drivers.

"Nothing is fixed," he told Sky F1. "At the moment, we’ve still got a few weeks to make those decisions."

“Obviously we know the situation with Checo, and the contract that he has." Perez's contract was extended until 2026 earlier this year, though it is unclear what exit clauses the team has and how it could be cancelled early.

“With Daniel and Liam, there are options within their agreements that, obviously, we won’t talk about in public until things are concluded," Horner added.

He also later clarified to Sky Sports that Lawson could be 'rented' out to another team on the grid for 2025.