Source – Planetf1.com
In an interview, Christian Horner discussed the choice to take Daniel Ricciardo’s seat for the balance of the 2024 season. According to Horner, RB might have switched drivers much sooner if he hadn’t used “my very best” to purchase the Australian time.
In a revealing episode of the F1 Nation Podcast, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner shed light on the much-discussed departure of Daniel Ricciardo and the promotion of reserve driver Liam Lawson for the final six rounds of the 2024 Formula 1 season. Ricciardo, once a key figure in Red Bull’s lineup, has faced mounting speculation over his future, and the Singapore Grand Prix only amplified these discussions. Just days after the event, Red Bull confirmed that Lawson would step into Ricciardo’s seat, raising questions about the timing and reasoning behind the decision.
Horner candidly addressed why the team opted for a mid-season change rather than allowing Ricciardo to complete the campaign. He explained that, while it would have been ideal to let Ricciardo see out the season, there was a bigger picture at play. Red Bull needed answers for their future driver lineup, and with only six races remaining, it presented the perfect opportunity to assess Liam Lawson’s potential alongside Yuki Tsunoda. This wasn’t just a decision for AlphaTauri; it had broader implications for Red Bull Racing as well.
The question of Red Bull’s future driver lineup has been a topic of ongoing debate. While Sergio Perez holds a contract for 2025, Horner acknowledged that the team is always keeping an eye on potential future drivers. The decision to place Lawson in the seat is part of that process—an opportunity to see if he could be the long-term solution. However, Horner also hinted that the team is considering all possibilities, including promoting one of its junior drivers, such as Isack Hadjar from Formula 2 or Arvid Lindblad from Formula 3. The bigger picture extends beyond 2025, and Red Bull is carefully evaluating their options.
One of the key reasons behind Ricciardo’s exit, according to Horner, was a lack of consistency throughout the season. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, like his strong showing in Miami where he defended against Ferraris and looked like the Daniel of old, these moments were too few and far between. After a promising start in Miami’s Sprint Qualifying, his form dipped sharply, and he struggled to maintain momentum over the weekend. This inconsistency left Ricciardo with little to celebrate other than a few sporadic performances, such as his run to Q3 and a points finish in Canada.
The pressure on Ricciardo had been mounting long before his departure was confirmed. As far back as the Spanish Grand Prix in June, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko had been calling for his removal from the car. Despite the internal pressure, Horner stood by Ricciardo, buying him time to find his form and prove his worth. However, Horner admitted that Ricciardo’s struggles, coupled with Sergio Perez’s own form issues, created a complex situation for the team. Both drivers experienced dips in performance at different points in the season, making it difficult for Red Bull to justify a driver switch.
For Ricciardo, the dream was always to return to the senior Red Bull team, where he had claimed seven of his eight career Grand Prix victories. But despite Perez’s struggles in 2024, Horner explained why promoting Ricciardo back to the top team was never a realistic option. He had hoped that Ricciardo could use his time in the AlphaTauri seat to prove he was ready to step up if Perez faltered. Unfortunately, despite some signs of improvement, Ricciardo’s performances were never strong enough to warrant such a move.
Horner expressed that he had done everything in his power to give Ricciardo a chance to succeed. He defended Ricciardo’s place in the car longer than some within the team might have preferred, but ultimately, it became clear that Ricciardo’s form wasn’t enough to guarantee him a spot in Red Bull’s long-term plans. Both drivers—Perez and Ricciardo—were under immense pressure to deliver, but as Horner put it, there was never a moment where it made sense to switch the two drivers.
As Red Bull looks to the future, they continue to assess their options for 2025 and beyond. Whether it’s Liam Lawson, another junior driver, or someone from outside the Red Bull pool, the team is weighing all possibilities. The decision to promote Lawson for the final six races is just one step in that process—a chance to evaluate his potential and see if he can step up to fill a future role within the Red Bull Racing family.
The full interview with Christian Horner on Ricciardo’s departure and the future of Red Bull’s driver lineup can be heard on the F1 Nation Podcast, offering further insights into the team’s decision-making process and what lies ahead for the Red Bull and AlphaTauri teams as they prepare for the 2025 season.
