'Last chance for Ricciardo, Lawson ready if performance doesn't improve'

Daniel Ricciardo's career in Formula One is hanging by a thread. According to the NZ Herald, the Australian has been given an ultimatum by Helmut Marko: Perform in Japan and China, or you will be replaced after that. In that case, Liam Lawson at Visa Cash App RB has already been designated as Ricciardo's replacement, who was previously mentioned as a possible Red Bull Racing driver in 2025.

In Australia, Ricciardo had a dramatic weekend. The 34-year-old started from 18th partly after his fastest lap was taken away for exceeding track limits. Incidentally, even that fast time was nowhere near the lap of teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Afterwards, Ricciardo revealed to the media that he had no idea how he could have gone faster.

Helmut Marko is said to have given an ultimatum, according to the Herald. If Ricciardo does not achieve decent results over the next two races, Liam Lawson will return to Formula 1 as his replacement. Marko is considered a great admirer of Lawson. Ricciardo can count on the support of Christian Horner, the team boss of Red Bull Racing, VCARB's sister company.

The New Zealand newspaper also believes that Lawson is Red Bull's best option to become Max Verstappen's long-term teammate at Red Bull. Lawson may even be the replacement for Sergio Perez, whose contract expires after this season, as early as 2025.