Red Bull: Ricciardo ‘never considered’ as Lawson’s replacement

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has made it clear that Daniel Ricciardo was never in contention to replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull Racing.

While some speculated about a potential F1 reprieve for the Australian, Marko insists the idea was never even on the table.

Red Bull initially promoted Liam Lawson to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing for 2025, but after just two races, the team opted for a change. Yuki Tsunoda was called up to replace the Kiwi, with Lawson returning to Racing Bulls to rebuild his confidence.

Tsunoda will now become Verstappen’s fifth teammate since Ricciardo left Red Bull at the end of 2018. The F1 veteran was spotted at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix earlier this month, prompting speculation about a potential return.

"No, that was never considered," Marko told Motorsport.com, when questioned on Ricciardo’s chances.

"Daniel had his last race and has since completely distanced himself from Formula 1. He was briefly in Australia, yes, but I think he left again on Thursday. It was never a topic."

The comments clearly reflect Red Bull’s focus on its current roster rather than revisiting past drivers, even one as accomplished as Ricciardo, who remains Verstappen’s most competitive teammate from their shared years.

Ricciardo at Peace with F1 Exit

Ricciardo’s hopes of a Red Bull return faded after struggling at Racing Bulls in 2023, where he was eventually replaced by Lawson in the final six races. The eight-time Grand Prix winner has since accepted that his F1 career is likely over.

"I have to acknowledge it's obviously been a little bit of a race-by-race situation, and I would obviously have loved the weekend to have gone better," Ricciardo said after what became his final race in Singapore last year.

"It didn't, so I have to be prepared for this maybe being it. Let's say I'm at peace with it. At some point, it will come for all of us."

Reflecting on his failed Red Bull comeback, Ricciardo added:

"I always said I don't want to come back just to be on the grid, I want to try and fight back at the front and get back with Red Bull."

"Obviously it didn't come to fruition, so then I also have to ask myself the question: 'Well, then what else can I achieve and what else is there to really go for?’"

With no Red Bull return in sight, F1’s honey badger seems to have closed the book on his 13-year F1 career – a journey that brought incredible highs, a few lows, and a legacy as one of the sport’s most charismatic figures.

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