RB F1 shakeup in danger of DESTROYING Daniel Ricciardo career comeback

F1 News & Gossip

RB shakeup in danger of DESTROYING Ricciardo career comeback

Daniel Ricciardo's F1 future remains uncertain

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Saturday 20 July 2024 00:00

Recent reports that Red Bull may make changes to their driver line-up could destroy Daniel Ricciardo’s chances of making a career comeback.

The Australian’s career has followed a downwards trajectory since he left Red Bull, struggling against Lando Norris at McLaren and being replaced by Oscar Piastri for 2023.

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Failing to acquire a full-time seat for the 2023 season, Ricciardo returned to Red Bull as their third driver eventually replacing an underperforming Nyck de Vries at Alpha Tauri (VCARB).

Since returning to the sport, however, Ricciardo has failed to return to his previous form and has been consistently outpaced by team-mate Yuki Tsunoda in 2024.

Daniel Ricciardo returned to Red Bull in 2023

Will Daniel Ricciardo return to Red Bull?

The Mexican has scored 15 points in the past six races, eclipsed by the Haas of Nico Hulkenberg, and is at risk of losing his seat in the summer break if he fails to improve.

However, according to a recent report from AMuS, Ricciardo’s Red Bull comeback may be hampered by his current team-mate Tsunoda.

The report states that the Japanese driver would replace the struggling Perez after a series of solid results for RB this season.

In a further blow to Ricciardo, AMuS also suggested that VCARB would promote their junior drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar to the team, leaving the Aussie without a race seat.

Could Daniel Ricciardo be replaced by Liam Lawson?

Lawson replaced an injured Ricciardo for six races in 2023, impressing on his debut, and Hadjar has driven the Red Bull in multiple FP1 sessions.

Red Bull boss Helmut Marko revealed that Lawson had a clause in his contract that will allow him to look elsewhere for a seat if he is not promoted to F1 by 2025, and Ricciardo’s F1 future remains uncertain.

Red Bull McLaren Lando Norris Daniel Ricciardo Sergio Perez Oscar Piastri