Helmut Marko Hints at Red Bull Opportunities for Liam Lawson in 2025

Many must be familiar with Liam Lawson‘s name as a reserve driver. Last year, he stole the spotlight at Alpha Tauri. Substituting for Daniel Ricciardo, he performed remarkably well in Singapore, entering Q3 and scoring points in the race. With bold moves and determination, the Kiwi emerges as a rising star in F1.

As the 2025 Formula 1 season looms, all eyes are on the 22-year-old driver as a potential contender for a permanent seat at Red Bull Racing. With Australian and Yuki Tsunoda’s contracts at Alpha Tauri set to conclude by the year’s end, speculation swirls regarding their future. Helmut Marko, hinting at opportunities within the Red Bull fold for Lawson, added fuel to the anticipation surrounding the young New Zealander’s burgeoning career.

Helmut Marko drops clues on Liam Lawson’s Red Bull breakthrough in 2025

The shining star finds himself without a seat this season, eagerly seeking opportunities for a permanent spot in Formula 1. His stellar performance in the 2023 season catapulted him to the top of Red Bull Racing’s wish list, positioning him as the prime candidate if the Aussie and Japanese driver departed the Faenza team at the end of the 2024 season. In an interview with Newstalk ZB as quoted by Soy Motor, Helmut Mako, the energy drink brand advisor, said, “You just have to be patient, and your time will come. We already have a contract with Sergio Pérez, Yuki Tsunoda and also with Daniel Ricciardo until the end of 2024,”

Marko dropped a hint suggesting an opportunity for the young star to secure a spot at Red Bull Racing. 22-year-old driver eagerly awaits his chance to join the exclusive ranks of the twenty official F1 drivers for the 2025 season. Recalling his stint as Aussie’s replacement in five Grand Prix races, Lawson gained vital F1 experience, fostering confidence for a starting role. Yet, frustration lurked as he yearned to relive the thrill of being an official driver this season.

Amidst last season’s buzz, rumors circulated that Helmut Marko had assured Lawson of a place at Visa Cash App RB for the 2025 season. However, Lawson refuted such claims. With Ricciardo and Tsunoda’s contracts expiring, the young star stands poised for a potential slot. Therefore, the Australian and the Japanese drivers are in a challenging position for the 2024 season.

Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda find themselves in a tight spot

After assessing the performance of both Red Bull drivers last season, Marko hinted at the team’s willingness to recruit external candidates. While the Aussie has a proven track record, Tsunoda faced challenges, notably being outperformed by Pierre Gasly in the first two seasons. Thus, the 2024 season will be a genuine test for both the VCARB.

Midway through the 2023 season, the experienced Ricciardo joined Tsunoda at the team after Nyck de Vries’ departure. During this period, both drivers expressed their aspirations to secure the coveted Red Bull seat for 2024, especially with Sergio Perez’s contract set to expire. Meanwhile, Ricciardo, a former Red Bull driver, eyes a return to the team this season. While uncertainties linger, Aussie has to perform well this season to take Checo’s place. With Horner’s unwavering faith, the Honey Badger is determined to prove his worth and reclaim his spot in the prestigious team.

Read More: Daniel Ricciardo Is “Next to Max [Verstappen] on the Grid”, Reveals Christian Horner

Do you think that Daniel Ricciardo will partner with Max Verstappen for the next season at Red Bull while Lawson takes his place at VCARB? Drop your thoughts in the comment section.