Daniel Ricciardo: Australian F1 superstar set to be axed by Red Bull in weeks

The end is near for Australian F1 superstar Daniel Ricciardo as reports suggest he is set to be sacked by Red Bull in just a few weeks.

The Australian racing driver currently races for the RB Formula One team under the Australian flag and has a record eight Grand Prix victories and 32 podium finishes.

A veteran Formula 1 journalist first broke the news just hours after explosive comments were made by Helmut Marko, director of the Red Bull Formula One teams.

Now 34, Ricciardo is confronted with the possibility of losing his position at the junior Red Bull outfit.

Reports suggest that plans are underway for young Kiwi speedster Liam Lawson to take over the Visa Cash App RB car as early as next month.

Speculation began after Red Bull chief adviser Marko mentioned that Lawson was set to step in by 2025.

Speaking to Austrian publication Kleine Zeitung, Marko said the desire is to have Lawson.

“The shareholders have made it clear that it is a junior team and we have to act accordingly,” he said.

“The goal was that [Ricciardo] would be considered for Red Bull Racing with exceptional performances. That seat now belongs to Sergio Perez, so that plan is no longer valid.

“We will have to put a young driver in there soon. That would be Liam Lawson.”

Joe Saward, a veteran F1 journalist said the change could be made imminently.

Posting on X, Mr Saward wrote: “So, Lawson will be in for Ricciardo at some point. I’d guess the end of July.”

Ricciardo approaches this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix knowing it could mark one of his last races for the team.

With only a few seats left to be confirmed for the 2025 Formula 1 season, Ricciardo joins several top drivers who are unexpectedly searching for new opportunities.

His contract with the RB team concludes at the end of the 2024 season.

Having joined the development outfit midway through the 2023 season and subsequently signing a one-year contract extension through 2024, the eight-time Grand Prix winner faces an uncertain future.