It's 'business as usual' insists Daniel Ricciardo following Helmut Marko's claim that Liam Lawson is to partner Yuki Tsunoda next season.

While RB CEO Peter Bayer recently claimed that the Faenza-based outfit would be retaining its current line-up, there was widespread surprise when only Tsunoda was officially confirmed for 2025.

Yesterday however, social media went into a frenzy following an interview in which Marko said that RB wanted to return to its roots as a development team for upcoming drivers and that therefore Lawson would get the second seat.

"The shareholders have made it known that it is a junior team and we have to act accordingly," he told Kleine Zeitung. "The goal was that he would be considered for Red Bull Racing with exceptional performances," he added, referring to Ricciardo. "But that seat now belongs to Sergio Perez, so that plan is no longer valid. We have to put a young driver in there soon. That would be Liam Lawson."

Understandably, Ricciardo was in great demand from the media upon his arrival at the Red Bull Ring today, for what will be his 250th grand prix start.

"I've become really good at not reading things," he replied when asked if he was aware of Marko's claim. "I didn't know about it 'til I was told when I got here.

"Look, I don't feel one way or another about it," he added. "I still know that the overriding thing in this sport is performance. That's it. That's what will give me my best chance of staying here. I know it's not going to be my nice smile or anything else, it's the on-track stuff.

"I haven't heard anything," he insisted. "There has been any pressure, no ultimatum, nothing like that.

"But I've also been in the sport a long time," he continued. "I know if I'm getting my ass kicked every weekend, at some point someone will be like 'hey mate, step it up, otherwise...' But I haven't had that. I've had good support from Christian, from Laurent, from everyone. They're doing what they can obviously, but then at some point, I'm the one in the car and I've got to push that throttle a bit harder."

Thus far this season, the Australian has been out-qualified by his teammate 8 times (from 10 races), while he has 9 points to the Japanese driver's 19.

His first points came in Miami, where he finished 4th in the Sprint, while he went on to claim 8th in Canada.

While Marko spoke of Lawson partnering Tsunoda from next season, there has been speculation that the youngster could be drafted in before that.

"I've obviously got a good opportunity, I say until the summer break," said Ricciardo, "I don't think that's a deadline, but obviously that's what you look at for the first half of the season.

"I look back at Barcelona and it's hard to get excited about a 15th but I was actually really happy with my race. So I would say it's at least now two better weekends in a row, I think.

"What I've certainly had trouble double this year, is having a kind of strong of good results," he admitted. "Two is still not enough, of course, at least for where I want to be. I definitely have a chance to get into the summer break with some momentum."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 29/06/2024 3:30

"The management model employed by RB Gmbh seems to be antiquated by todays standards. I wouldn't relish the balancing act imposed on CH. Now that DM is no longer the HO team seem to be somewhat fractured and the retention of Marko is an anachronism, a hangover from a previous era, insofar as he has too much influence in the driver line up. There should be a clear delineation of duties and responsibilities and CH clearly fills the role of CEO. The fact that Marko was able to issue a side letter that alters the tenet of the original contract appears, prima facie, to be a deception if CH was unaware of it's existence. DR should walk after the break unless they can give him the car that he deserves. Marko's commitment to giving Lawson a drive in '25 is another example of his influence on the team that should not be entertained. The sooner Marko goes the better...and he should take Verstappen senior with him."

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2. Posted by meatball, 28/06/2024 18:25 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 28/06/2024 18:27)

"It's gotta hurt with Lawson breathing down his neck and he looks at Aston and sees that window-licker Stroll getting extended..."

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3. Posted by Spindoctor, 28/06/2024 7:24

"Sadly it seems that, for whatever reasons, his career in F1 is approaching its end. As always Marko & Red Bull are handling things really badly and appear callous & ugly as a result.

I think he should resign with immediate effect and move to another series, or simply retire to pursue other interests."

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4. Posted by Duckworth, 28/06/2024 1:15

"Telcel, Claro, Inter MX, Patron Tequila - did I miss any sponsors that Perez brings to the team along with being backed by Carlos Slim? He’s also vital to garnering the interest of Latin America as a whole to boost Red Bull drink sales. Daniel does none of this. While I agree as a pure racing enthusiast that neither of them are setting the world on fire to say Daniel should be in the Red Bull seat is nonsense. They have to pay Max’s salary somehow!"

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5. Posted by BillH, 27/06/2024 21:26 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 28/06/2024 18:27)

"Last time I read a similar "I haven't heard anything..." comment from a driver arriving at a paddock was Brendan Hartley when he showed up at the Monaco Grand Prix a few years back and we all know what happened there.
I'm still not sure why Perez is where he is considering how far back he is from his team mate.
It's almost as if Red Bull don't want to win the constructors championship this year.
For sure that would cost prize money however Red Buill would get a higher aero testing percentage for next year and seeing that Adrian Newey is leaving, that increase could be handy.
Looking from the outside (not knowing anything about how Red Bull really work in terms of drivers) it is rather confusing why Red Bull don't put Perez into Sauber next year "to get his confidence back", Ricciardo into Red Bull and Lawson into RB.
If Ricciardo fails to perform, pull Tsunoda into Red Bull or put Perez back in there or get another junior driver into RB with Lawson.
This way Red Bull can say they have given Ricciardo a shot, dealt with an under performing Perez and satisfied the RB Shareholders.
Provided Max Verstappen is happy with all that of course."

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6. Posted by KKK, 27/06/2024 17:18

"I honestly think he would gave done a better job at red bull in perez's seat. Marko again has his head up his a**e "

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7. Posted by ChickenFarmerF1, 27/06/2024 15:53

"I love having the Permasmile on the grid, but truthfully, his time is about up. He was lucky to get the lifeline from Toro Rosso in the first place. He might be able to stay in F1 with a backmarker team, or he can accept that the inevitable time has come, and move on to WEC or some other series. Hopefully he made wise financial investment decisions when he monetized his career for his seasons with Renault and McLaren.

If it wasn't for Daddy Stroll he'd probably a strong candidate for Aston Martin. Sir Lancelot deserves the boot more, but we all know that won't happen until Daddy runs out of desire to throw money at his son's delusions of grandeur. "

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8. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 27/06/2024 15:43

"It’s really unfortunate for DR to be put in this position and only find out things once they’ve appeared in the press. I can’t really understand why Marko thinks that’s an acceptable way to treat a driver. "

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9. Posted by Wokingchap, 27/06/2024 14:11

"He's on a knifes edge and under a lot of pressure froma all angles, i really hope he can pull it off."

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Ricciardo denies being given RB ultimatum

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