Although no rookies were introduced to the Formula 1 grid in 2024, that is almost certainly going to change next year.
Mercedes are keeping a very close eye on young driver Kimi Antonelli and Haas are expected to hire Ferrari youngster Oliver Bearman.
Journalist Ben Hunt, speaking on the Inside The Piranha Club Podcast, believes that another experienced driver could be about to miss out on a new contract for the 2025 season.
Antonelli’s promotion is coming as a result of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari and Bearman could directly replace Nico Hulkenberg who is on his way to Sauber.
Eventually, their moves are going to see two established drivers lose their place in the paddock.
A third rookie in Jack Doohan is being linked with Alpine with Esteban Ocon departing but a fourth youngster is also pushing hard to earn a full-time seat in F1: Liam Lawson.
The 22-year-old Kiwi was fantastic during his five-race stint with AlphaTauri last year.
Yuki Tsunoda has already been signed up for 2025 meaning Daniel Ricciardo – on the eve of his 250 Grand Prix entry – might be about to say goodbye to Formula 1.
He’s in a head-to-head battle with Lawson for the final seat in the Red Bull group and it could go down to the wire before those in power make their decision.
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Daniel Ricciardo could say goodbye to Formula 1 at the end of the 2024 season
As the chequered flag few in Canada, there was only one RB driver who finished in the points.
Yuki Tsunoda was the leading driver in the team going into the closing stages before he spun out at one of Canada’s tricky chicanes.
That meant the pressure was on Ricciardo and under heavy pressure from both Alpine drivers delivered an important four points for the team.
However, his display across the weekend in Montreal was the exception rather than the rule when it came to his performances this year.
Liam Lawson has already said that after his excellent cameo last year, he has a clause in his contract that either guarantees him an RB seat or allows him to leave for free to seek an opportunity elsewhere.
Other teams on the grid have already ruled out a move for Lawson, meaning it’s likely RB or bust for the New Zealander.
It also means that with interest in Ricciardo elsewhere in the paddock waning, he might have to say goodbye to F1 at the end of 2024 if RB choose the reserve driver to step up.
Daniel Ricciardo in a head-to-head battle with Liam Lawson for 2025 seat
Speaking about the second RB seat, Hunt said: “I think it’s [Liam] Lawson’s [seat].
“I think you mentioned people signing contracts who had bad weekends, there’s something who hasn’t signed a contract in Daniel Ricciardo and he had a good weekend.
“The comments from Jacques Villeneuve were interesting, ‘What has he done, he’s a shadow of his former self’.
“Really brutal comments, but when you look back at them, it’s very difficult to disagree because the stats are there.
“Unfortunately for Daniel, his career has kind of gone backwards. He didn’t have a good time at Renault, had a disastrous time at McLaren.
“He’s just not delivering and I think the pressure is on. Contrasting that with Liam Lawson who’s shown what he can do.
“He’s low maintenance, he’s only 22, he’s got so much potential that we don’t know how good he’s going to be until he’s given a proper run in that car.
“I think they’ve got to fair, they’ve got to give him another go and I do think this is all shaping up to a goodbye to Daniel which is a shame.”
The Red Bull group won’t rush into deciding between Ricciardo and Lawson considering the lack of interest elsewhere on the grid.
Lawson will have to sit and watch from the garage to see how Ricciardo over the next few races and can only do so much in the simulator and behind the scenes to convince the team he’s the right man for the job.
The power is in Ricciardo’s hands but with every race he hasn’t signed a new deal, the pressure continues to grow.
The post ‘Really brutal’: Journalist now believes 2024 season is ‘shaping up to a goodbye’ for 249-race F1 driver appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
