Helmut Marko hints at F1 return for Liam Lawson at VCARB

Might Liam Lawson be headed again to the Formulation 1 grid for the 2025 season?

In accordance with latest feedback from Purple Bull Senior Advisor Dr. Helmut Marko, that might certainly be the case, leaving veteran driver Daniel Ricciardo on the skin wanting in.

Talking with Austrian outlet Kleine Zeitung forward of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, Marko indicated {that a} transfer in a youthful route at Visa Money App RB F1 Crew could also be coming down from on excessive. “The shareholders have made it clear that [VCARB] is a junior group and we have now to behave accordingly,” mentioned the Purple Bull advisor.

That might very nicely imply that Ricciardo is out, and Lawson is in, for 2025.

“The intention was for Ricciardo to qualify for a return to Purple Bull Racing with distinctive performances. That seat now belongs to Sergio Perez, in order that plan is off the desk. We must put in a younger driver quickly,” continued Marko. “That might be Liam Lawson.”

The feedback come not solely days forward of the F1 Austrian Grand Prix, however every week after Ricciardo himself indicated that he needed to “earn” his spot at VCARB for subsequent season. Talking on the FIA Press Convention in Barcelona forward of the Spanish Grand Prix, Ricciardo mentioned that “I additionally mentioned, I feel, earlier than the weekend in Canada that, you realize, I clearly need to earn it … I clearly need to be right here as a result of I do know that I nonetheless belong right here and might do can do performances like I did final week. So it’s additionally as much as me simply to make it possible for I can hold pulling it out. And in that case, then I’ll be very blissful to remain.”

Nonetheless, the orders kind shareholders referred to by Marko, in addition to a clause in Lawson’s contract that permits him to hunt a seat elsewhere and depart Purple Bull if he doesn’t have a journey with the group, might power the group’s hand. With the 2025 driver lineup remaining unsettled and various open seats out there on the grid, Lawson might discover various potential suitors for subsequent yr ought to VCARB resolve to retain Ricciardo.

What would possibly that imply for Ricciardo if that is certainly the trail Purple Bull and VCARB take? As famous above there are nonetheless out there seats for 2025, and Ricciardo stays a marketable driver with a resume that features Grand Prix victories and up to date robust performances at each VCARB and AlphaTauri a season in the past. If that’s not sufficient to maintain him at VCARB, might it’s sufficient for an additional group to offer him a shot for subsequent yr?

Replace: And now there may be much more gas to the “Lawson to VCARB” fireplace, with longtime and revered F1 journalist Joe Saward indicating that Lawson might be in Ricciardo’s seat earlier than the top of the season.

Earlier than the top of the summer season, in truth:

We’ll know quickly sufficient.