A composite image of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo — Photo: © IMAGO

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Ricciardo AXE leads to Verstappen Red Bull challenge

Can Max Verstappen ever be challenged at Red Bull?

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Sunday 6 October 2024 18:02

Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 axe could lead to Max Verstappen being challenged at Red Bull according to a Sky F1 pundit.

After being outperformed by his team-mate Yuki Tsunoda throughout 2024, Ricciardo was axed from RB and has been replaced by Liam Lawson for the remainder of the season.

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Despite the underperformance of Sergio Perez at Red Bull, Tsunoda has not been tipped for a promotion, with the star remaining at RB for 2025.

Perez has failed to claim a podium since the Chinese GP, and his inability to deliver consistent points for Red Bull has allowed them to be usurped by McLaren in the constructors’ championship.

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Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, former driver and pundit Anthony Davidson, revealed that Tsunoda had been overlooked, and that he could prove a challenge to Verstappen if given the chance at Red Bull.

“Yuki’s been through that journey and he’s not that driver anymore that some may think back to. He’s the finished article now I think,” Davidson said.

“Poor old Yuki I think he’s still getting tarred with that same brush of ‘oh you’ve got to come in, you destroy Yuki and then you’ll get a chance’, I’m not sure it’s that easy anymore for anyone to come in and do that against Tsunoda.”

“Whether it's Lawson or Ricciardo comes back as an older experienced driver Nyck de Vries has a go up against him as well and Yuki keeps beating them every single time.