Lawson Replaces Ricciardo as Red Bull Focuses on 2024 Future
Sep.27 - Daniel Ricciardo's unceremonious ousting from Formula 1 is all about the future of Red Bull, team consultant Dr Helmut Marko insists.
The strong and raging rumours of Singapore have now become reality, as the energy drink-owned F1 concern finally admitted that Ricciardo, 35, will not be returning to his RB cockpit with immediate effect.
It's good news for Liam Lawson, but the way Red Bull allowed Ricciardo to tearfully depart Singapore last Sunday has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many.
"Daniel Ricciardo left Singapore in a way that a driver of his talent surely did not deserve," Frederic Ferret, writing for France's L'Equipe, wrote.
Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Tobias Gruner agrees: "Daniel Ricciardo actually deserved to say goodbye to Formula 1 in style."
Indeed, even Marko admits the Australian driver already knew his fate in Singapore.
"The timing had to do with various factors and obligations," said the 81-year-old. "He was informed and the worthy farewell performance was the fastest lap.
"That still showed the potential he has, although not consistently and not at the level that would bring him to Red Bull Racing," Marko told motorsport-total.com.
"Since he left us for Renault, he lost his winning instinct and I can't explain what happened."
Red Bull had to pick up the contract option on New Zealander Lawson, 22, by the end of September, whilst at the same time it is believed that RB's main sponsors Visa and Cash App were pushing hard for Ricciardo to stay.
Rumours suggest the management firm representing Ricciardo, Creative Artists Agency, actually introduced Visa and Cash App to the Faenza based team.
But for Red Bull, given that Ricciardo was not up to the task of returning to the main F1 team, the decision to put Lawson in for the remaining races of 2024 is strategic.
"We want to have a comparison," Marko confirmed. "Where does Lawson stand in relation to Yuki (Tsunoda), so that we know for the future what the driver pairing will look like for both of our teams."
Another rumour is that Sergio Perez could announce his retirement from F1 at his home Mexican GP next month.
"We have to look to the future," said Marko. "There are many young people on the launch pad like (Isaak) Hadjar, Lawson and also (Ayumu) Iwasa."
As for the criticism Red Bull is taking for the way Ricciardo held off on revealing the news until now, Marko insisted: "He himself indicated that he is at peace with it.
"He has accepted the situation and we will see what his plans are for the future."
Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde told drs De Race Show: "He could go into endurance racing or something like that, but actually it's time for him to do television.
"He has such a strong personality and he also does the marketing side so well that I'm sure he'll get an offer."
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Various factors & obligations shouldn't be an obstacle for formally announcing a driver change shortly after a decision is made/the relevant driver, i.e., Lawson in this case, gets to know, which happened during the Monza-Baku interval.
Checo isn't going to 'voluntarily' quit until after his next contract stint at the earliest, which he made clear in response to this particular unfounded rumor, although he stated that he probably won't continue for long anymore, but definitely for the next two seasons at the very least, meaning that something will happen only if Red Bull lets him go.
If Tsunoda doesn't stand a promotion chance partly because the Honda supply will end after next season, neither does Iwasa truly stand a chance for a B-team drive, given the same factor.
In all my years following F1 I have never seen such a carry on when a driver finishes such as all the stories about RIC. He had his career , it is over, move on.
He should have realised himself it was over and announced his retirement instead of hanging on keeping Lawson out of the seat.
Ha you think this is ott, Wait till Empress Hannah, Queen of the dress makers guild announces her retirement, The internet will go into meltdown
And there you go, I think you'll go into meltdown first with all your built up LH hate.
Well, one thing we can count on is your magical reappearance whenever you perceive a slight to Empress Hannah. And he has never even mentioned you in his copious, nauseating social media posts. And after all the hours you've spent holding up his poster with one hand....
I know...! If i didnt have such an unbiased attitude towards her , I could be forgiven for thinking shes ignoring me or something, Ill keep my positive outlook on her, its difficult but Im a well balanced individual, that her reluctance to even acknowledge me wont deter my enthusiasm.
It’s not like he needs the money. F1 is performance based, to slow no job, simples. Having said that not even the very best drivers can make a slow car fast.
The Red Bull he left is not the Red Bull he was hoping to rejoin. It's regrettable he made poor choices, but they were his to make, and he owns the outcome. Having said that, I've always liked Daniel. He'll take his optimism and considerable driving talent to a different team, sooner or later. In the end, he'll be fine.
As for Red Bull the looming departures of Verstappen and Perez will complete the team's transformation into yesterday's news. Frankly, they deserve everything they get.
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