Dr. Helmut Marko has quashed speculation about Daniel Ricciardo being given a two-race window to improve his performances or face replacement at RB by Liam Lawson before the Miami Grand Prix. German media outlets report that team owner Red Bull's chief advisor Marko rebutted these claims, which originated from New Zealand publications, following Ricciardo's difficulties in outperforming Yuki Tsunoda in the 2024 season so far.
Marko purportedly clarified the misunderstanding, stating the team's intention is simply to allow Ayumu Iwasa, a Japanese junior driver, to take Ricciardo's place during Friday's practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. This move, according to Marko, was misconstrued as a direct threat to Ricciardo's position.
Nevertheless, Marko conveyed, "we have to wait and see" regarding Ricciardo's future with the team, hinting at the Australian's dwindling prospects for a prominent role within the main Red Bull team.
"Every driver sees the other's data," Marko emphasized, adding, "so there are no secrets. They have the same car. Everything is the same. Daniel has proved in the past that he is a fast driver, so it is something mental. A mental problem."
Ricciardo contested this assessment, stating, "My head is not full of nonsense or anything like that."
Despite the challenges, Ricciardo continues to enjoy support within the RB team, previously known as Alpha Tauri and Toro Rosso. Jody Egginton, the technical director, acknowledged that the 34-year-old is "working hard" to "make the car more to his liking," projecting confidence that Ricciardo will return to form "in the next few races."
The backdrop to Ricciardo's current situation includes new paddock perceptions that Sergio Perez has solidified his position for 2025, in part due to his strong backing from influential Mexican team sponsors.
Marko, however, maintains, "The decision on the lineup for next year has been postponed until the summer. But Tsunoda must improve even more if he can be considered."
The decision not to promote reserve driver Liam Lawson immediately has puzzled former F1 driver Christijan Albers, who voiced his confusion to De Telegraaf, "I don't understand what the fear is about this choice. I just don't understand it," adding, "Let's be honest - Lawson beat Tsunoda in those few races last year. And Tsunoda has consistently been stronger than Nyck de Vries and Daniel Ricciardo."
Albers critiqued Ricciardo for losing focus, having participated in nearly 250 grands prix, including less successful stints at Renault and McLaren post-Red Bull. "What irritates me a little bit is that he keeps laughing and doing activities other than driving," Albers remarked, suggesting, "Just focus on the racing. Only then can you start being funny again.
"As a driver, you want to go into hiding until you have beaten the others, then you can start showing yourself again. With him, it's the other way around. All those activities are just painful. I just don't think it's fair," insisting, "Lawson just needs to be given a chance, and he doesn't get one. But the whole purpose of that team is to train and promote young talent."
