Helmut Marko has appeared to confirm that Liam Lawson will be promoted to a full-time RB Formula 1 race seat in 2025, replacing Daniel Ricciardo.
Lawson deputised for the injured Ricciardo in five races in the second-half of 2023, impressing during his stint with a points finish with ninth in Singapore.
However, the Australian was given the nod for 2024 alongside Yuki Tsunoda with Lawson relegated back to reserve driver duties.
The Kiwi has hinted that he would be prepared to walk away from the Red Bull family if he is not given a 2025 race seat, with the second one at RB the only remaining vacancy with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez locked in at Red Bull with Tsunoda confirmed for ’25 at RB.
Ricciardo has the support of Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, and was placed at RB in the hopes of earning Perez’s seat for ’25, but a lack of stand-out results from the eight-time grand prix winner meant he was not given the seat alongside Verstappen.
However, motorsport advisor Marko has now hinted that Lawson will be given the full-time drive in 2025.
“The shareholders have made it clear that RB is a junior team, and we have to act accordingly,” he told Kleine Zeitung.
“The goal [for Ricciardo] was to qualify for Red Bull with exceptional performances, but that seat now belongs to Sergio Perez.
“That plan is no longer going to happen, and we will soon have to put in a young driver.
“That will be Liam Lawson.”
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