Ricciardo’s extensive experience and strong market presence make him a prime candidate, despite Tsunoda outperforming him throughout the 2024 season.
Red Bull have yet to finalise their 2025 driver lineup, weighing options between Ricciardo and Lawson for the second seat.
Ricciardo’s veteran status and fan appeal currently give him a leading edge in this decision.
At the Canadian Grand Prix on Saturday, Red Bull confirmed they had exercised an option to retain Tsunoda for next year, highlighting his superior performance metrics over Ricciardo in 2024.
Despite a tough season, Ricciardo delivered a commendable performance in Canada, securing a fifth-place qualification and finishing eighth in the race. This impressive showing has strengthened his bid for the 2025 seat.
Craig Slater of Sky Sports F1 suggests that Ricciardo is slightly ahead of Lawson in the competition for the Red Bull seat.
“Yuki Tsunoda has signed a contract extension to stay with Red Bull’s junior team in 2025,” Slater said.
“RB say Tsunoda’s shown enormous progress in announcing his extension, while Tsunoda says it’s a good feeling to have his future decided so early in the year.
“The Japanese driver has comprehensively outperformed Daniel Ricciardo this season, so it will be either Ricciardo or Liam Lawson in that other RB seat.
“I am hearing Ricciardo is maybe the slight favourite at the moment.”
