The 2025 Formula 1 grid is starting to quickly take shape but that doesn’t mean changes can’t happen before the end of the campaign.
Three of the four Red Bull seats have already been filled for next year with Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Perez committing their futures to RB and Red Bull respectively around the Canadian Grand Prix.
That leaves Daniel Ricciardo as the sole driver still wondering where he’ll be racing next year.
However, recent comments from Red Bull chief Helmut Marko suggest that the Australian might not be destined to survive for that much longer.
Speaking to Kleine Zeitung, Marko said: “The shareholders have made it clear that RB is a junior team, and we have to act accordingly.
“The goal [for Ricciardo] was to qualify for Red Bull with exceptional performances, but that seat now belongs to Sergio Perez.
“That plan is no longer going to happen, and we will soon have to put in a young driver. That will be Liam Lawson.”
Now, journalist Joe Saward has taken to social media to share when he believes Liam Lawson will replace Ricciardo at RB.
Fans of the Honey Badger may have to savour these next few Formula 1 races.
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Liam Lawson could replace Daniel Ricciardo at Visa Cash App RB this season
Talking to X after Marko’s comments, Saward said: “So, Lawson will be in for Ricciardo at some point. I’d guess the end of July…”
He was then asked by another user if that was the end of Ricciardo in Formula 1 and added: “I’d guess so.”
Liam Lawson thoroughly impressed at the start of his F1 career when he was called upon at very short notice in Zandvoort last year.
Ricciardo had already been parachuted into the team to replace the underperforming Nyck de Vries but when he took avoiding action to miss a stranded Oscar Piastri, he broke his hand when hitting the barriers.
Lawson was brilliant, scoring points in Singapore and outqualifying Max Verstappen that weekend.
However, it wasn’t enough to earn the Kiwi a spot on the grid for this year, although a clause was included in his most recent contract to either guarantee him a seat in the Red Bull family for 2025 or allow him to leave to join one of their rivals.
Other teams on the grid weren’t clamouring for Lawson’s signature, potentially because the clause would have forced them to wait until the end of the year which would have been a risky move.
It sounds like he no longer needs to worry about other manufacturers, with Lawson likely to take Ricciardo’s seat after the Belgian Grand Prix.
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What next for Daniel Ricciardo if he loses V-CARB seat?
If Daniel Ricciardo does only have four races left with RB before he’s replaced by Liam Lawson, it’s hard to see him staying on the grid elsewhere.
Williams are searching for a Logan Sargeant replacement and Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli has been touted as an option to jump into his seat in the summer break.
However, those suggestions have died down recently, but if James Vowles still wants a new driver alongside Alex Albon then a suddenly available Daniel Ricciardo might be an attractive option.
Unfortunately, Ricciardo doesn’t appear to be on any shortlists for 2025.
Audi – currently Sauber – don’t seem keen on Ricciardo and Williams and Alpine have ruled him out as a full-time option for next year.
Ricciardo has had a storied Formula 1 career and was arguably the one driver who really challenged Max Verstappen as a teammate.
Unfortunately, his return to the grid hasn’t panned out as expected and he may be entering the final races of his career.
The post ‘I’d guess’: Journalist suggests when Daniel Ricciardo will be replaced by Liam Lawson at RB this season appeared first on F1 Oversteer.