Former driver critical of Red Bull's contract: 'That hype is slowing down'

With the Red Bull Junior Team, Red Bull Racing have a prestigious but also relentless training programme for young racing talents. Liam Lawson is one of the talents that has managed to convince so far, but the 22-year-old New Zealander is on the sidelines for now. Christijan Albers attributes this to a contract that the driver would not be able to get out of.

Albers critical of Red Bull Junior Team

Lawson made his Formula 1 debut last year as a replacement for the then injured Daniel Ricciardo. In doing so, the young driver managed to impress, but a permanent F1 seat for 2024 was not yet in the cards. This year, Lawson is only active as a reserve driver for both Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB.

A bad thing, judges Albers. "Who is obviously in such a fucking stranglehold on Red Bull's contract. All those drivers get such a restrictive contract. They can't go in any direction, not left, not right. Unless Dr Helmut Marko agrees. You're stuck at some point," said the former F1 driver to De Telegraaf's Formula 1 podcast.

"He just did really well in those few races. That's a real talent. You see now that hype is sinking a bit, because that boy is not in the picture. That guy can't drive a car [right now in F1]," he continued. Asked who decides on Ricciardo's future, Albers replied, "I wonder if Dr Marko still has that say? Whether Christian Horner has taken over that? I don't know anymore."

Ricciardo had a difficult start to the current F1 season. While RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda already has seven points to his name, the 34-year-old Australian remains pointless for now. The Japanese Grand Prix also ended in disappointment for him after he collided with Alex Albon shortly after the start and crashed. When asked whether Ricciardo will have to retire if he continues like this, Albers therefore replied with a resounding 'yes'.