F1 News: Helmut Marko hints at possible Daniel Ricciardo RB car 'swap' amid ultimatum rumours

Daniel Ricciardo, Saudi Arabia GP, Visa Cash App RB, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

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Marko hints at possible Ricciardo car 'swap' amid ultimatum rumours

The Aussie could be replaced at RB after a slow start to the season

Originally written by Shay Rogers. This version is a translation.

Saturday 30 March 2024 01:00

Daniel Ricciardo has endured a poor start to the 2024 Formula 1 season, and it is not beyond the realm of possibility that he is replaced at some point this season.

In fact, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has spoken out against claims by the New Zealand Herald that the Australian driver had been given an ‘ultimatum’.

According to Motorsport-Total.com, he has denied that Ricciardo will be replaced by Liam Lawson before the Miami Grand Prix, and that he will instead be given more time to find his form in the Visa Cash App RB car.

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Yuki Tsunoda’s spectacular performance at the Australian Grand Prix is the difference between sixth and last place in the constructors’ championship for the VCARB outfit.

Ricciardo is 3-0 down in the qualifying head-to-head and has struggled to match the pace of his Japanese team-mate.

Daniel Ricciardo is yet to score a point in 2024

Helmut Marko makes a lot of key Red Bull driver calls

Is Daniel Ricciardo's F1 seat safe?

Red Bull aren’t afraid to do a driver swap, as they have shown more so in the past with the senior team – but Toro Rosso did swap Daniil Kvyat with Pierre Gasly at the end of the 2017 season.

Ricciardo is aware that he must raise his levels to protect his F1 career and sustain any chances at replacing Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in 2024 – but it likely has to come sooner rather than later.

Red Bull Max Verstappen Daniel Ricciardo Williams Helmut Marko