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Christian Horner claims Daniel Ricciardo needs to show ‘head-turning’ form to have a serious shot at Red Bulls’ 2025 seat

Daniel Ricciardo ‘s 2024 season is off to a rocky start as the Aussie has failed to score any points. Ricciardo has been outscored by Yuki Tsunoda for the majority of the season. Amidst Sergio Perez‘s ever-at-risk seat at Red Bull, VCARB drivers are one of the prime candidates to join the Austrian team. However, Christian Horner explained that Ricciardo would need to start scoring better results for a chance at Milton Keynes.

The majority of people in Formula 1 believe that Daniel Ricciardo is in the Red Bull pool of drivers just for PR reasons. Christian Horner laid out the requirements that Ricciardo will need to meet to secure a seat in the top team.

Horner reckoned that the 34-year-old will need to showcase ‘head-turning’ performances to have a realistic chance. Even rival teams would start to take note of the Australian if he were to perform better down the season.

He needs to show the kind of head-turning form to make not only ourselves but potentially to make others take notice. Christian Horner said, as reported by racefans.net.

Apart from Ricciardo, Liam Lawson who made a short but impressive debut in 2023 is also on the radar of the energy drink manufacturing giant. Horner pointed towards the Kiwi driver and his availability to race in F1. However, the team principal made it clear that there was nothing preordained regarding Lawson’s entry into the sport. According to the Englishman, the priority was on the current racing drivers in F1.

Obviously, waiting in the wings is a driver with the talent of Liam Lawson, who naturally is champing at the bit to get an opportunity, But there’s nothing pre-set or preordained as to when or even if that would take place. The priority is for sure for the drivers that are in the race seats at the moment and we’ll see how that pans out. Christian Horner noted.

Christian Horner revealed the ‘close interest’ in Yuki Tsunoda for Red Bull in 2025

Sergio Perez has been performing well enough to secure a contract extension at Red Bull. However, to replace the Mexican driver, Horner claimed that Red Bull has had a close eye on the development of all its F1 drivers. The team principal pointed towards Yuki Tsunoda‘s great start to the season compared to Daniel Ricciardo at RB.

Obviously, we keep a close eye on the drivers, we keep a close eye on their development. And I have to say, Yuki, conversely, has had a great start to the season and is driving very well. Christian Horner explained.

Hence, Red Bull will keep a close eye on the sister team’s drivers to acquire for the coming season. Apart from the RB drivers, Carlos Sainz is also a prime candidate to join the Austrian team for the coming season.

VCARB has sustained a mediocre start to the season after a nightmare weekend in China. The team will aim to score great points in the coming American weekend to secure an early lead in the bottom order of the grid.

Daniel Ricciardo’s future in Formula 1 is currently under fire due to his weak performances. The Australian driver needs to step up and start performing better to prove his worth to the grid. Ricciardo’s chances at Red Bull are in shambles due to him being heavily outscored by Tsunoda. The upcoming races will hold immense importance for the eight-time Grand Prix winner.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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