So far, only one cockpit at the Racing Bulls has been permanently occupied by Yuki Tsunoda in 2025. “We’ll have to put a young driver in there soon,” said Dr. Helmut Marko before the Austrian GP to the Kleine Zeitung about the plans for the vacant second seat. Nevertheless, Daniel Ricciardo is not panicking yet.
Daniel Ricciardo: Motivation boost instead of pressure from Liam Lawson
“I sometimes even enjoy Helmut’s taunts a little,” said Daniel Ricciardo about Lawson’s comments. “It motivates me a little and helps me to get the best out of myself.” However, he doesn’t feel any more pressure or anything like that, and his approach remains the same.
“I’m sure my fifth place in qualifying in Montreal made Helmut smile. If I can do that a few more times, I can keep making him smile,” said Ricciardo. At the moment, he has the full support of Red Bull and the Racing Bulls.
“The most important thing in this sport is performance. That’s what gives me the best chance of staying here,” said the Racing Bulls driver. “Not my grin or anything else.” The decisive time in Formula 1 is now until the summer break. For him personally, there are no ultimatums or instructions from the team. “If I deliver here and in Silverstone, the narrative will change quickly.”
Ricciardo was confirmed for 2023 after a tyre test at Silverstone in the RB19 promoted from reserve to regular driver. Now Liam Lawson will be driving a TPC test in Imola in July. “That was planned a while ago and it’s one of those things you think less about as you get older,” explains the 34-year-old.
“If Liam drives a great test, that’s 100 percent good for Liam, but I have no control over that,” Ricciardo explains his philosophy. “But I’m in the cockpit right now and I have to do everything I can to control things!”
Red Bull or nothing: Ricciardo rejects other F1 teams
For the eight-time GP winner, it’s still Red Bull or nothing. “I don’t want to sound arrogant or stubborn, but I’m not looking anywhere else,” he says. “I’m just going to put everything I can on the table in terms of effort and performance. If that’s good enough to secure a place, great, if not, then OK, I’ve done everything I could.”
Aside from the Racing Bulls, there is a lot going on in the Formula 1 driver market. Lance Stroll has extended his contract with Aston Martin until 2026, and there is also news about Pierre Gasly. All details about his new contract can be found here.