Daniel Ricciardo, source of pressure identified, Red Bull alerted to Audi's approaches

Audi's interest in signing Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson for the 2025 F1 season is behind renewed uncertainty over Daniel Ricciardo's future at Red Bull, local media have claimed.

Ricciardo, 35, has struggled since returning to F1 with RB (then AlphaTauri) last year, scoring points on just two occasions in a grand prix.

Audi Driver Market 'Pressure' Leaves Daniel Ricciardo Under Threat?

After his team-mate Tsunoda was confirmed as the RB driver for F1 2025 at the Canadian Grand Prix last month, the fight for the second seat will likely be between Ricciardo and Red Bull reserve driver Lawson, who impressed during a five-race stint replacing an injured Ricciardo in F1 2023.

Long-time Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko revealed earlier this year that a clause in Lawson's contract would allow the 22-year-old to leave Red Bull altogether if he is not promoted to a permanent F1 seat for 2025.

And speaking to an Austrian publication Little newspaper Ahead of last weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, Marko revealed that RB “will have to” promote Lawson to a race seat in the near future on the orders of Red Bull shareholders, who want to see the Faenza-based team return to its roots as a team to develop young drivers.

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Marko said: “The shareholders made it clear that this was a junior team and we had to act accordingly.

“The goal was for (Ricciardo) to be considered by Red Bull Racing with exceptional performances. That seat now belongs to Sergio Perez (who recently signed a new two-year contract), so that plan is no longer valid.

“We'll have to hire a young driver soon. It will be Liam Lawson.”

A report from a Swiss-German publication View revealed that Audi's interest in Tsunoda and Lawson is behind the increased pressure on Ricciardo, forcing Red Bull to resist the German manufacturer's advances for the pair.

Audi, which will take over the existing Sauber team in time for F1's 2026 rule changes, announced the signing of Nico Hulkenberg from Haas in April, with the German manufacturer's second seat for F1 2025 currently unfilled.

The Hinwil-based team have long been interested in outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who has also been linked with Williams and Alpine in recent weeks.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner reportedly tried to activate an option to extend Tsunoda's contract with RB after learning the Japanese driver had entered negotiations with Audi.

According to the report, “the same game is now being played” with Lawson, which has increased Red Bull's urgency to promote him to a permanent seat in place of Ricciardo.

Red Bull's option to promote Lawson to a permanent F1 drive for 2025 would expire in September. With Audi's interest in the New Zealander having become “too great”, Marko is said to have “struck immediately despite the veto of Ricciardo's friend Horner”.

Marko told Blick that Red Bull “would have loaned our best Formula 2 driver, (Isack) Hadjar”. Campos driver Hadjar currently sits second in the F2 standings, having claimed two wins so far this season.

The statement comes after Marko claimed earlier this year that Audi was exerting “pressure” during the off-season, saying “it's a bit strange that a newcomer is putting pressure on the driver market.”

Speaking to media including PlanetF1.com in Austria, Ricciardo insisted he had received no ultimatum from the Red Bull hierarchy and that he retained the support of Horner and RB team principal Laurent Mekies.

However, the Australian acknowledged he was unlikely to be retained for next season if his performances did not improve, having waited until the recent Canadian GP to secure his first 2024 F1 points finish alongside a fourth place in the Miami sprint race.

Asked if he had any indications that his seat was in danger, he said: “No, I haven't heard anything.

“There was no pressure, no ultimatum, nothing like that.

“But I’ve also been in the sport for a long time and I know that if I’m getting my ass kicked every weekend, at some point someone’s going to say, ‘Hey buddy, pick up the pace or else…’

“I haven't had that kind of situation, but I'm aware that having a good race every now and then is not enough and that's not what I want either. I don't want to have a good moment and then a series of bad moments.

“I think I had good support from Christian, Laurent, everyone.

“They're obviously doing what they can, but at some point I'm the one in the car and I have to press the accelerator a little harder.”

Asked if he fears a final decision from RB will be communicated too late for him to find another manager for next season, Ricciardo replied: “No, no.

“I don't want to be flippant about it, because obviously I care a lot about it, but I don't know.

“Maybe I'm at a point where everything is going to go my way. And I'm just going to put everything I can on the table in terms of effort and performance.

“And if that's enough to secure me a spot, great. If not, fine. I've done everything I could, but…

“I think if I focus on that kind of game, I'm in trouble. I have to focus all my attention on that game. It's as simple as that.”

Read more : Exclusive Daniel Ricciardo: I am absolutely ready to return to Red Bull

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