Rhonan Colquhoun 11:30pm 14th June 2024
NEW Zealander Liam Lawson may have to look elsewhere on the F1 Grid for a seat next season with incumbent Daniel Ricciardo the favourite to retain his RB seat.
Red Bull's Reserve Driver Liam Lawson is going head-to-head with 8 Time Grand Prix Winner Daniel Ricciardo in the battle to be named as Yuki Tsunoda's team-mate at RB for the 2025 Formula One Season.
Lawson, who drove in place of Ricciardo for five races as the Australian broke his hand last season, is in danger of being left on F1's side-lines for next season if RB choose to retain Ricciardo instead.
It is understood that RB are willing to let Lawson open discussions with other teams on the grid if they are unable to guarantee the Kiwi a race seat at their team.
Ricciardo, who was in early contention to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull for 2025, has been consistently out-performed by the ever impressive Tsunoda over the course of 2024 so far with the recent Canadian Grand Prix an exception.
The Australian has not been able to lead the team as expected given his wealth of experience but after an encouraging Canadian Grand Prix where he finished in eighth place - he's confident that's he been able to turn a corner and now able to pinpoint where he's gone wrong so far this season.
Ricciardo now needs to perform over the next few races as RB are set to make their decision in the coming months whether Ricciardo has done enough to keep his seat or if Lawson's patience results in a full-time race seat.
The decision is understood to not primarily be down to results alone; with one significant factor weighing heavily in Ricciardo's favour. The Australian is one of the most popular drivers' on the grid with a devoted fanbase which makes him hugely marketable.
If Ricciardo is given the nod and continues for another season, Lawson's options to be on the grid next season seem bleak as other teams such as Haas, Williams and Sauber already have a number of drivers vying for a race seat.
One option that could be viable for Lawson is the seemingly unstable Alpine Formula One Team. The French outfit, who are parting ways with Esteban Ocon at the end of 2024, are eager to re-sign Pierre Gasly and have an array of drivers interested in the second seat.
The main frontrunner is the team's Reserve Driver and Former F2 Winner Jack Doohan. He's been sat on the side-lines this year (much like Lawson) but has undergone an intensive driving and simulator programme with the team crediting him for their Monaco turn-around in performance.
Former Haas F1 Driver Mick Schumacher, who drives for Alpine in their Endurance Programme, is known to be at the bottom of the list while current Kick Sauber Driver Zhou Guanyu, a former Academy Driver for Renault/Alpine, is also in contention.
Who will drive for RB alongside Tsunoda in 2025?
Ricciardo
Lawson
Comments