Ricciardo responds to Marko's Lawson comments as F1 seat in danger

Liam Lawson would be "deserving" of a full-time F1 seat, believes Daniel Ricciardo as speculation about his own future continues to grow.

Ricciardo was touted as a potential replacement for Sergio Perez at Red Bull if the senior team opted to drop the under-performing Mexican during the summer break, but Red Bull gave Perez a stay of execution, meaning Ricciardo's long-hoped for return to Red Bull did not materialise.

Instead, Ricciardo now appears to be in a fight to save his RB seat for 2025, following comments made by Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who all but confirmed reserve driver Liam Lawson would be in a 2025 seat.

Ricciardo acknowledged that he was prepared for a call from Red Bull during the break that never came as he addressed Marko's Lawson claim.

"Look, I didn't rule it out for sure, but I don't want to say: 'Oh no, I thought [about it], but I thought that maybe something could happen, but I didn't expect it or get my hopes up," he told media including RacingNews365.

"I was aware maybe something could change, but let's just do what I am doing, and if I get a call, I get a call, so that was that.

"But that was where I'd mentally prepared myself more than: 'Oh, this is it not, it is going to happen', so things are pretty unchanged.

"I still know that performance is my best friend and if I do what I know I am capable of, then that puts me in a good position to stay somewhere in the family for next year, I've just got to focus on that.

"Speaking about Liam, he got to drive the car last year and he did a great job, and I do think he is worthy of a seat on the grid, so if he is guaranteed a seat on the grid next year, that is good because he is a deserving driver. 

"What that means for me is probably a little unknown, but if I perform, then I am sure they'll find a spot for me somewhere."

Ricciardo's Red Bull dossier

Ricciardo believes that a continuation of his stronger form towards the break should allow him to present a dossier of evidence to Red Bull to keep the seat - but openly admits his form has not been good enough. 

"I can't be like: 'hey guys, this is enough, come on!", I appreciate that and over the course of the first half of the season, my performances got better in that last part," he added.

"So it is definitely better, but I can't say that this is definitely enough. 

"I know that if I continue to do this [level of performance] over the next few races, then I could like: 'this is the real me now' and I would have proven that over a course of races. 

"But it is probably subjective to say that it is enough, I am not going to make a song and dance and be like: 'I've been the best'.

"I've just got to do something about it and just keep doing my thing."

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