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The driver carousel in Formula 1 could pick up speed after just a few races. A first name for a shaky candidate is already emerging.
Melbourne – The new Formula 1 season didn’t even need two races to once again turn the motorsport world off its hinges. Red Bull is shaken by the earthquake surrounding Christian Horner. The racing calendar does that Stars of the racing series are already very angry after two Grand Prix. And then there was the earthquake in the paddock.
Since Lewis Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari next season, speculation has been raging as to who will be his successor in the Mercedes. There is speculation about a change from world champion Max Verstappen, and even the name Mick Schumacher has already been mentioned. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who recently had an accident in his racing car, is also looking at young driver Kimi Antonelli. In addition, the last remaining German driver, Nico Hulkenberg, may also have to fight for his F1 place.
Is the first driver change in Formula 1 already imminent? Loss of cockpit in the middle of the season is imminent
However, these questions are all things of the future. Another driver is threatened with a much more serious scenario: a cockpit loss in the middle of the season – and the rumors about it are already heating up after two races. Specifically, it’s about Daniel Ricciardo.
The veteran drives for the Red Bull partner team Racing Bulls, is an absolute fan favorite and was even considered a hot candidate for replacement alongside Verstappen if his teammate Sergio Perez underperformed. Instead of being promoted to the top team in the premier motorsport class, Ricciardo is now on the rocks after two races.
Fan favorite Ricciardo is worried about his Formula 1 place – a successor is already scratching his hooves
The fan favorite, who has celebrated Grand Prix victories in the Red Bull car in the past, has had a difficult phase. After leaving the Brause team, Ricciardo drove for Renault and McLaren between 2019 and 2022, but was hardly able to fulfill the hopes that were placed in him. He was particularly disappointing at McLaren. He returned to the Red Bull team cosmos as a test driver and replaced the weak Nyck de Vries at Alpha Tauri in 2023, which was renamed Racing Bulls this season. The de Vries fate could now overtake him himself.
Because Ricciardo’s start to the 2024 season once again didn’t go according to plan. So far it has only been enough for 13th place in Bahrain and 16th place in Saudi Arabia. In the first Grand Prix he only finished ahead of his teammate Yuki Tsunoda because, according to the team order, he was supposed to let him overtake. And all this despite the fact that Ricciardo sees himself as a candidate for the Red Bull seat alongside Verstappen. The Australian himself finds himself in the ejector seat of Formula 1 – hardly any team in the past changed cockpits as quickly as the Red Bull B team. And boss Helmut Marko has already counted Ricciardo on, recently saying he had to “think of something”.
Daniel Ricciardo facing elimination in Australia of all places?
So could the third race weekend in Melbourne become a decisive factor for Ricciardo? What is certain is that the bosses are keeping an eye on the veteran. And what’s more, his possible successor is already shuffling his hooves. Liam Lawson is a reserve driver at Red Bull. The 22-year-old replaced Ricciardo for a few races last season due to an injury to his compatriot. His performances were convincing. He is also said to be highly regarded within the team. Marko already predicted he would “definitely” have a cockpit for 2025.
In any case, Ricciardo does not want to be distracted by this, said after the clear words of Dr. Marko just says he’s “not worried”. He knows that the first two races were “not great”, but only two of 24 races had taken place. The only question that remains is whether he will even have the chance to take part in all 24 races. (han)