Horner makes Ricciardo call after Red Bull driver lineup discussion

Red Bull Formula 1 boss Christian Horner has made a call regarding Daniel Ricciardo in discussions over an unusual driver lineup.

The Aussie racing star was dropped from Red Bull's junior team, Racing Bulls, last year following the Singapore Grand Prix, having failed to provide the desired results as both outfits struggled.

F1 HEADLINES: Red Bull role confirmed for SNUBBED star as new driver lineup teased

READ MORE: Wolff calls for F1 BAN after Verstappen swearing controversy

Horner faced a tricky year both on and off track in 2024, with his main Red Bull team slipping down the order, finishing in third place despite another drivers' title victory for star driver Max Verstappen.

F1 rivals McLaren and Ferrari leapfrogged the former constructors' champions, and with Verstappen practically carrying the team alone after a further dip in performance for team-mate Sergio Perez, Horner's outfit finished the year with 589 points.

But it wasn't just the main team that were concerned by the lack of results, with Racing Bulls finishing way down in eighth in the constructors' standings despite a change in their driver lineup midway through last season.

READ MORE: Red Bull boss Christian Horner holds meeting with ex-F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone

Horner rejects Ricciardo F1 ultimatum

Ricciardo was handed a career lifeline in 2024 when he returned to the sport as a full-time driver with Racing Bulls, after his performances had dipped since his glory days at Red Bull's main team between 2014 and 2018.

At points last season, the 35-year-old was even touted as a potential replacement for Perez, with a promotion back to Horner's outfit not out of the question.

Unfortunately for the fan-favourite racer, Horner, his F1 advisor Helmut Marko and VCARB chief Laurent Mekies made the decision to drop Ricciardo from the lineup with just six races to go in the championship, replacing him with the now Red Bull driver, Liam Lawson.

With no seat in the pinnacle of motorsport for the fast-approaching 2025 season, Ricciardo has teased retirement, been closely linked with a seat at the pending Cadillac F1 team and been encouraged to try his hand at broadcasting instead.

With no plans confirmed for Ricciardo for 2025, Horner has been hit with a bizarre driver lineup enquiry ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Speaking to F1 content creator Bella James ahead of the 2025 championship opener on March 16, Horner was asked to take part in a game of 'kiss, marry, kill?' with the lineup consisting of three Red Bull drivers both past and present in the form of Verstappen, Ricciardo, and the now retired Sebastian Vettel.

Whilst at first the F1 boss appeared to consider the lighthearted question in a clip shared to TikTok, he eventually made the call to evade the question, instead responding: "I can't play games like that."

@bxllajames Can’t blame a girl for trying 🤷🏻‍♀️ #christianhorner #f1 #redbull #formula1 ♬ original sound - Bella

READ MORE: Verstappen BAN could offer Ricciardo shock F1 return

Related

Red Bull

Horner hits back after Newey 'inexperience' comments

• Yesterday 08:28

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Horner in X-RATED rant as Wolff endorsed to replace controversial FIA president

• March 2, 2025 15:50