Red Bull’s Formula 1 2025 line-up now confirmed, focus shifts to the team’s junior squad. Contrary to the notion of three drivers vying for two seats, it’s actually a duel between two drivers for a single spot, with Yuki Tsunoda’s position secured. Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, stated that the decision is between Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo for the second seat.
Earlier this week, Red Bull ended speculations about Max Verstappen’s teammate by confirming Sergio Perez’s new two-year contract extension, securing the team’s line-up through 2026. This means, unless there is an unexpected departure, Tsunoda and Ricciardo won’t be moving to the senior team soon.
Despite Tsunoda, Ricciardo, and reserve driver Lawson all aiming for a 2025 seat in the junior team, Tsunoda is guaranteed his spot. Marko emphasized, “Yuki Tsunoda is set, that’s clear.”
Tsunoda has outperformed Ricciardo this season, accumulating 19 points compared to Ricciardo’s five. Ricciardo’s struggles early in the season sparked rumors about his future, but those have been dismissed. Nevertheless, 2024 could be Ricciardo’s final year unless Red Bull opts to retain him over Lawson.
Lawson, who impressed by stepping in for Ricciardo with a ninth-place finish at the Singapore Grand Prix, is also a strong contender. Marko and team boss Christian Horner face a tough decision: either promote Lawson to a race seat or potentially lose him, as his contract includes a clause allowing him to leave if not offered a race seat. Marko mentioned, “There is a clause with Lawson. If we don’t offer him an active seat, he is free for other teams.”
