Marko hints at Lawson's 2025 F1 arrival: 'We have to act accordingly'
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- Nicole Mulder
Helmut Marko appears to be opening the door for Liam Lawson, who would thus replace Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull Racing's sister team Visa Cash App RB. The top adviser says shareholders want to see two young drivers in the team and Red Bull should "act accordingly".
Marko hints at Lawson's VCARB arrival for 2025
Both Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Perez have recently signed contract extensions, meaning only one seat remains vacant at VCARB. Daniel Ricciardo, who has been outperformed by teammate Yuki Tsunoda for the majority of the 2024 season, is all but certain of a seat for next year.
Marko previously hinted that Liam Lawson, who acted as Ricciardo's replacement for five races and immediately impressed, is assured of an F1 seat in 2025. If not at RB, then at another team. After all, Red Bull may not keep the New Zealander on the books any longer.
It is not only performance that comes into play, the shareholders of Red Bull also have a say in the decision. "The shareholders have made it clear that it is a junior team and we have to act accordingly," Marko told Kleine Zeitung ahead of the Austrian GP.
"The aim was for Ricciardo to qualify for a return to Red Bull Racing with exceptional performances. That seat now belongs to Sergio Perez, so that plan is off the table. We will have to put in a young driver soon," said Marko. The Austrian is clear in who he wants to replace the Australian: "That would be Liam Lawson."