Amid the current frenzy of driver market speculation, a pivotal deadline looms around the end of June, impacting numerous contracts.
Daniel Ricciardo of Sauber, feeling the pressure, remarked, “I’m geared up for next week. There’s a specific date I can’t disclose, but it’s pivotal for many decisions.”
Several contractual milestones may align with this weekend’s Austrian GP, with further developments expected during the Silverstone race next week.
Oliver Bearman, likely to secure a seat at Haas next season, anticipates, “Silverstone will be chaotic. A lot will unfold.”
Struggling Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo confessed in Barcelona his apprehension about his future beyond 2024 at the Faenza-based team.
“It’s challenging,” said Ricciardo, citing multiple factors influencing his future. “It’s mentally draining.”
A critical factor for Ricciardo is Red Bull’s ability to offer 22-year-old reserve driver Lawson a full race seat for 2025. Talks of Lawson potentially joining Audi-owned Sauber have surfaced.
However, Red Bull’s Dr. Helmut Marko hinted Lawson will replace Ricciardo as Yuki Tsunoda’s teammate next year.
“Our shareholders expect us to nurture young talent,” Marko told Kleine Zeitung. “Daniel’s opportunity at Red Bull Racing has shifted to Sergio Perez.”
Regarding Red Bull’s lineup, Marko emphasized, “We must integrate a young driver soon – likely Liam Lawson.”
Marko also expressed concerns about Red Bull’s recent car upgrade, describing it as a setback in performance.
“They experienced a significant drop in performance,” he told Speed Week.
(GMM)
