Red Bull Rift: Horner and Marko Divided Over 2025 F1 Driver Line-Up, Says David Croft

David Croft reports that Christian Horner and Helmut Marko are in disagreement regarding RB's driver selection for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Sky Sports F1 analyst David Croft is of the opinion that there is a distinct divergence in views between Christian Horner and Helmut Marko regarding the future driver selection for Red Bull Racing in 2025.

The contracts for both drivers at RB will expire at the conclusion of the 2024 Formula 1 season, with three contenders being considered for the positions.

Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo, and Liam Lawson are all competing for those positions.

In 2024, Tsunoda has clearly outperformed Ricciardo, dominating the qualifying battles with a lead of 7-1.

Nonetheless, RB's Chief Executive Officer, Peter Bayer, has conveyed his contentment with the current roster of drivers.

This might result in Lawson being left out for the 2025 season, despite his commendable performance for the team alongside Tsunoda in the previous year when he stepped in as a substitute.

During the most recent Sky F1 podcast episode, Croft elaborated on how Marko and Horner hold distinct perspectives regarding RB's drivers.

"So, there's another aspect to consider. Is Daniel Ricciardo sticking around, or is he on his way out?" Croft questioned. "From Helmut Marko's perspective, he'd probably be very keen on introducing Liam Lawson to RB.

"Despite appearing forceful, Dr. Marko's primary objective is to introduce these emerging talents, demonstrating the continuous stream of exceptional skill originating from Red Bull's ranks. However, the question remains: Will Dr. Marko still be present in the Red Bull team by the season's conclusion?"

Certainly, Christian Horner would prefer to retain Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull Racing. From a marketing standpoint, he’s invaluable. He’s a confirmed victor on the track and still has the ability to excel. It’s likely that Christian Horner wants to offer him that chance. The question arises, who is in charge of making this decision? Are there one or two available positions at Red Bull?

"In my opinion, if Marko remains involved and retains his leadership role, then it will be Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda who will continue the charge. However, if Marko departs, does that mean the lineup shifts to include Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo, leaving Yuki in a position where he must seek opportunities elsewhere? It's worth noting that he's being considered for a spot at Haas."

Despite his remarkable performance, Tsunoda was not considered by Red Bull as a potential substitute for Sergio Perez.

The Mexican racer has inked a fresh two-year agreement with Red Bull, ensuring his stay with the team is extended through the conclusion of 2026.

Tsunoda is setting his sights on Aston Martin, which is set to utilize Honda engines starting in 2026.

Simon Lazenby believes that for Tsunoda to progress up the grid in the future, he must maintain his current trajectory.

"Lazenby pointed out that while misfortune has played a part, it's not only about being tied to an engine manufacturer. It's about creating your own opportunities and navigating your path. Relying solely on them restricts your choices based on their decisions. For Yuki, the key is to continue racing as he currently does."

"Demonstrating aggression yet consistently scoring, Verstappen's reliability is the basis of our conversation, assuming his continued partnership with Red Bull."

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