FORMULA One driver Daniel Ricciardo has reportedly been given a two-race lifeline to keep his seat with Visa Cash App RB.
After a disappointing weekend at his home race in Melbourne last weekend, the Australian’s role in the team may be threatened by reserve driver Liam Lawson.
Ricciardo joined Toro Rosso in 2013 before moving to Red Bull Racing at the start of the 2014 season.
He raced for the Bulls for four years , winning eight Grand Prix’s in that time.
The Australian driver’s career has come full circle after he rejoined Red Bull’s sister team, newly named Visa Cash App RB racing, in 2023.
That year, he finished 17th with six points in the driver’s standings, capping a disappointing season display.
Ricciardo has had a rough start to his 2024 campaign. He has failed to score a single point in the opening three races of the season, while his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, placed seventh in the Australian Grand Prix, earning himself six points.
It has not been confirmed, but reports have been circling the paddock and media news outlets that Ricciardo has been given a two-race ‘ultimatum’ to improve; otherwise, Lawson will step in in his place for for the remainder of the season.
“It hasn’t been the best three races to start the season for sure and especially the preparation I had coming into the season , it’s definitely not where I expect to be. I would have loved the season to have started better but we’ll just keep digging.”
Independent
Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson could replace the Australian driver as early as the Miami GP in May if Ricciardo’s performance does not improve when they next race in Japan and China.
It’s not the first time Lawson has had to step in for the number 3 driver. Last year, during the Dutch GP, Ricciardo sustained a broken hand in the Friday practice, which handed the New Zealand driver his F1 debut. He continued with the team for five races while Ricciardo recovered.
