Will Buxton spots something ‘interesting’ in Daniel Ricciardo media duties amid Liam Lawson rumours

Follow us on Google Discover

Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 future was one of the biggest stories as the paddock convened for media day ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. His RB seat appears to be under immediate threat.

Many of the rumours stem from comments made by Sky Germany pundit Ralf Schumacher. The ex-F1 driver believes the Singapore GP will be Ricciardo’s last race, with Liam Lawson taking over from next month’s US GP onwards.

Schumacher says that, contractually, Red Bull must put Lawson in the car for the final six races or they risk losing him. Previous reports claimed they simply needed to guarantee him a seat for 2025.

Ricciardo has spent the entire season fighting for his future ahead of the expiry of his contract. There was talk of an opening at Red Bull in the summer amid Sergio Perez’s spiral but that has now cooled.

Likewise, the possibility of Lawson replacing Ricciardo mid-season seemed to have faded. But it now appears to be back on the agenda, with no definitive denial from Red Bull.

Lawson deputised for the eight-time Grand Prix winner after he broke his wrist last season. He impressed the team’s senior leadership in that five-race spell and now seems in line for a seat in 2025 at the latest.

Will Buxton notices Red Bull and RB staff accompanying Daniel Ricciardo at Singapore Grand Prix

Speaking to the media at Marina Bay, Ricciardo insisted he’d yet to receive any clarity on his short or long-term future. This contradicts a recent report that Red Bull had made their driver decision and informed those concerned.

However, the Australian does expect confirmation after the race in Singapore. There’s a 26-day gap between this weekend’s Grand Prix and the start of the Austin weekend.

F1TV presenter and journalist Will Buxton noted that media representatives from both Red Bull and RB were stood with Ricciardo in the media pen. Part of their role is to record all of their drivers’ comments in interviews.

While the two teams operate as separate entities on a race weekend, they’re inextricably linked in the driver market. Indeed, Ricciardo graduated from what was then Toro Rosso to partner Sebastian Vettel back in 2014.

What Red Bull simulator driver has said about Daniel Ricciardo’s future

The noises coming out of Red Bull are certainly ominous. Having spoken to executive director Helmut Marko, simulator driver Rudy van Buren couldn’t guarantee that Ricciardo would see out 2024.

He thinks ‘something is coming’ after Singapore, whether that’s a 2025 announcement or an immediate driver change. Yuki Tsunoda is already locked into the other seat.

Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde has urged Red Bull to respect Ricciardo. That means letting him complete the schedule in recognition of his service.

The 35-year-old is a veteran of more than 250 Grands Prix, spending the majority of those either at Red Bull or their junior team (in various guises). They may wish to look to the future with Lawson, but they won’t want to sever their bond with Ricciardo either.