Daniel Ricciardo is fighting to hang onto his seat RB. The Australian is out of contract at the end of the season and his inconsistent form has put him under pressure.
Yuki Tsunoda has outscored Ricciardo by 19 points to 11 in the championship, though he only leads the race-day battle 6-5. He’s been much more dominant in qualifying, outpacing the 35-year-old at eight out of 11 events so far.
Significantly, Red Bull were expecting Ricciardo to beat his much less experienced teammate this year. He’s won eight Grands Prix and scored 32 podiums in his career, and the belief was that pedigree would win out.
He would have been a contender to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull if the season had played out as anticipated. But instead, he faces a battle to even stay in F1, while the team have already taken up their option to extend Tsunoda’s contract.
His main rival for the seat has been reserve driver Liam Lawson, who replaced him at five races last year after he suffered an injury. There was talk of a midseason change, but Red Bull have decided to give him time.
In terms of other options, there are rumours that Ricciardo is in talks with Williams over a spot alongside Alex Albon but he doesn’t appear to be a frontrunner. There’s also a seat available next to Oliver Bearman at Haas, but they’re unlikely to pay his salary.
Isack Hadjar now a contender for Daniel Ricciardo RB seat
According to F1TV’s Will Buxton, speaking on the Weekend Warm-Up ahead of the British Grand Prix, Isack Hadjar is also entering the picture. Like Lawson, Hadjar is part of the Red Bull academy.
It may be telling that Christian Horner’s team are fielding him in FP1 on Friday, in place of Perez. Hadjar has impressed in Formula 2 this season, winning the Feature Races in Australia and Imola and taking four podiums overall.
That’s enough to rank him second in the championship, 11 points behind Paul Aron. It’s his second year in the series, and he’s made a big step forward after finishing 14th last term.
It’s already been confirmed that one F2 driver will make the step up to F1, with Bearman joining Haas. And Buxton says Hadjar has a chance of joining him.
“Isack Hadjar is in place of Sergio Perez at Red Bull [for FP1],” he said. “Isack is now moving himself into consideration for that V-CARB seat in 2025, should they not pick up Daniel Ricciardo.”
Liam Lawson could join RB rival instead
Red Bull want to give Ricciardo time, but that may be something Lawson doesn’t have. The longer he waits for RB, the more damaging it will be if they reject him.
The New Zealander is contractually entitled to leave the team if they don’t find him a spot on the grid for 2025. Audi are no doubt aware of this as they begin to explore a move.
Lawson is one of two potential rookies under consideration, alongside existing Sauber junior Theo Pourchaire. If they lose out on more experienced targets like Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon, they could make an approach.
And that’s exactly what Hadjar needs. He’s behind the 22-year-old in the queue right now, but Helmut Marko says Red Bull’s shareholders want a young driver in the team alongside Tsunoda, and he’ll hope to be that man.
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