Daniel Ricciardo Contract At Risk As RB CEO Reveals 'Quiet Discussions'

As the current Formula 1 season intensifies, the future of Daniel Ricciardo at Visa Cash App RB (known as VCARB or RB) hangs in balance, with team executives confirming pivotal discussions for his 2025 contract fate slated for the summer break. Amid the strategic shuffle within the team, attention swivels from the confirmed continuation of Yuki Tsunoda to the potential promotion of standout test driver Liam Lawson.

At the start of the year, RB had entertained the idea of Ricciardo stepping in for Sergio Perez; however, fluctuating performances have since cast doubt on this decision. Simultaneously, Perez secured a two-year extension following a strong showing alongside Max Verstappen at the start of the season has recalibrated team expectations and strategies surrounding their driver lineup. Meanwhile, Lawson's impressive stint as Ricciardo's stand-in during his injury layoff in 2023 has only fueled speculation about his readiness for a permanent seat.

Amid various developments, Peter Bayer, CEO of RB, articulated the team's deliberate pace in making these high-impact decisions. He explained during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, as quoted by Autosport:

"We're not in a hurry to take a decision for next year's line-up. We've confirmed Yuki, which was very important for us. And our focus currently is on the car. And [we will] go into the summer break and have a quiet discussion."

The Australian driver's influence within the team, particularly his role as a mentor to Tsunoda, has not been overlooked. Bayer praised Ricciardo's contributions, especially in fostering team spirit and assisting Tsunoda's development. He added:

"Daniel certainly has helped us tremendously. Looking back last year when he joined the team, he brought a whole new energy and spirit into the team and he has been extremely helpful in supporting Yuki.

"Yuki has just stated very recently that he still keeps learning from Daniel. It's part of our job, also as a mission from the shareholders, to develop drivers. And that's what we currently do."

Yet, the situation remains fluid, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko's preferences and Christian Horner's openness to mid-season changes adding layers of complexity to the decision-making landscape. Bayer reiterated the cautious and unrushed tone of the team's approach, concluding:

"Liam is part of the team, he's our test driver. He's in the simulator. As most of you know he will be in the TPC [testing a 2022 car in Imola]. But the decision on the second seat will be taken quietly, and we're not in a hurry."

As the team embarks on this crucial evaluation period during the summer break, the motorsport community eagerly anticipates the outcome, which will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of RB's future competitiveness in Formula 1.