We’re only three races into the 2024 Formula 1 season but already several drivers are feeling the pressure.
Sergio Perez failed to pick up the pieces when Max Verstappen suffered his first DNF in two years which will raise some questions at Red Bull.
A report from Auto Action suggests there’s another driver on the grid who might be fighting to save his career.
Logan Sargeant suffered the ignominy of having to give up his car to Alex Albon when the Thai driver damaged his chassis beyond repair in practice which will be a huge blow to his confidence.
Neither Sauber nor Alpine driver have shone so far, although Pierre Gasly’s display in Australia was praised before he picked up a penalty in Australia.
However, Daniel Ricciardo is the most under-fire driver on the grid right now and might only have until the race in Miami to save his seat otherwise Liam Lawson could be about to make a more permanent return to the grid.
Daniel Ricciardo has until Miami to avoid Liam Lawson replacing him
The 2024 F1 season really hasn’t gone to plan for the Australian driver once described by old team principal Andrea Stella as ‘world-class’.
He was tipped heading into pre-season testing to be challenging for podiums at times this year.
Visa Cash App RB have moved closer to Red Bull’s factory to improve their relationship and it was expected that they would move further up the midfield as a result.
The first two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia didn’t highlight that progress with Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda coming to blows over track position.
However, the car was quicker in Melbourne as Tsunoda proved both in qualifying and the race itself.
The 23-year-old reached Q3 while Ricciardo was eliminated in the first session and while the Australian missed out on points, Tsunoda ended up in 7 after a brilliant drive.
Ricciardo was suggested as a potential replacement for Sergio Perez heading into 2025, but now Liam Lawson’s presence within the team is looming over him as they head to Suzuka, Shanghai and Miami.
If things don’t improve quickly for the 34-year-old, then he’ll be the latest victim of the ruthless Red Bull group.
Liam Lawson could be set for another chance in Formula 1
The report from Auto Action says that the Formula 1 paddock is ‘abuzz’ with talk that Helmut Marko has provided an ultimatum to Ricciardo.
He either needs to improve his performances before heading to Miami in three races time, or Ricciardo will be swapped out for Liam Lawson.
‘Multiple sources’ also told Auto Action that while Ricciardo was confident he would be staying in the sport, that would only happen if there was a dramatic improvement in the next few Grand Prix.
It’s also believed that his dream of racing for Red Bull one day is now completely out of the question.
His prospects aren’t helped by the fact that out-of-contract star Carlos Sainz is putting in displays that will be very hard for Christian Horner and Helmut Marko to ignore.
Visa Cash App RB have huge Daniel Ricciardo decision to make
For nearly every team on the grid, the idea of throwing a reserve driver into a full-time seat has a large degree of jeopardy.
Oliver Bearman did brilliantly on his debut in Saudi Arabia with limited experience in the car but was still some way off Charles Leclerc.
However, Liam Lawson showed last season during his five-race stint that he was on par with Tsunoda and even outqualified Max Verstappen in Singapore.
While Lawson’s pace is a positive for RB, it means Ricciardo knows that he’s in danger of losing his seat if there’s no improvement before heading to Miami.
Team principal Laurent Mekies has admitted that Lawson is in a ‘frustrating’ position this year.
That might not be the case for much longer given Ricciardo’s current trajectory.
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