The Purple Bull and RB Method 1 groups’ resolution to drop Daniel Ricciardo mid-season had nothing to do with him performing so badly that an instantaneous change was wanted.
RB workforce boss Laurent Mekies made it crystal clear final weekend that, if the Australian had the automotive beneath him he wanted, like within the Miami dash this yr, his pure velocity was nonetheless there to take advantage of it.
As a substitute, the manoeuvring that has triggered Ricciardo’s F1 exit and introduced Liam Lawson again to a race cockpit could be very a lot about Purple Bull needing to get on the entrance foot with its 2026 driver plans.
If we rewind a bit, we should do not forget that Ricciardo’s comeback for RB final yr was in the end an audition for Purple Bull.
With Sergio Perez having some wobbles all through the second half of 2023, Purple Bull knew that if Ricciardo confirmed the identical velocity he did throughout that post-British GP check within the RB19 final yr then he could be a consolation blanket to fit in if its Mexican incumbent didn’t elevate his recreation.
However issues didn’t get off to the very best of begins when Ricciardo broke his wrist at Zandvoort, opening up the door for Lawson to impress throughout a five-race stint for the squad.
Then, regardless of Perez struggling massively in the beginning of 2024, Ricciardo’s personal inconsistent kind meant he got here in need of convincing Purple Bull that he would supply an computerized efficiency improve if given a return to Milton Keynes.
There was that very transient spell across the Hungarian and Belgian GPs the place Ricciardo seemed to be within the body as Purple Bull misplaced hope in Perez however, as soon as the squad dedicated to sticking with what it knew, then that in the end set in stone the occasions which have performed out this week.

Sergio Perez, Purple Bull Racing RB20, Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Crew VCARB 01
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures
Looming proper in the back of the minds of Purple Bull’s senior administration is what to do about its drivers for 2026 – regardless that in concept each Max Verstappen and Perez have contracts.
Neither may be 100% sure they are going to be there. Verstappen might stroll to a different workforce or out of F1 utterly, whereas Perez must carry out higher to safe his place. These potentialities imply Purple Bull can’t threat having no different top-line choices on the desk if it must pursue a Plan B.
The workforce needs to be positive it has its bases lined on two fronts. First, there’s retaining an in depth watch over prime expertise from different groups – which is why Purple Bull workforce boss Christian Horner has been stirring the pot by saying that George Russell might be a goal for him sooner or later.
However what Purple Bull particularly must do is know who’s greatest out there from its present younger driver pool – and the one approach to make sure on that entrance is to get the comparisons rolling immediately.
With Ricciardo not a long-term possibility, Purple Bull might not likely wait till the beginning of 2025 to fit Lawson in once more and get a definitive verdict on how he stacks up in opposition to Yuki Tsunoda.
Perez’s ongoing inconsistent kind means the jury is out on his seat for subsequent yr, not to mention 2026, and if issues don’t enhance by the top of the marketing campaign, Purple Bull must be positive about who could be the very best various if wanted.

Liam Lawson, Visa Money App RB F1 Crew
Picture by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Pictures
It’s fairly clear Purple Bull doesn’t assume Tsunoda is the correct match to hitch Verstappen, however throwing Lawson in with no respectable run of races to indicate his potential could be taking a giant threat.
Plus, if Perez goes and Lawson is lower than it, then Purple Bull might discover itself on the hunt for 2 drivers…
So, whereas it might have been good to permit Ricciardo the prospect for a farewell tour to see out the season, time is just not on Purple Bull’s aspect.
That’s the reason it must be positive about Lawson as shortly as doable to know the place he suits in: is he fast-tracked to the highest workforce, or does he want extra time to develop himself?
Then there’s additionally the talk about what to do with its different junior drivers. Isack Hadjar has achieved a great job in F2 and is banging on the door of F1, whereas Ayumu Iwasa has been placing within the podiums in Tremendous Method.
As Purple Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko explained in a video with Autosport sister website Motorsport-Whole.com there’s a greater image at play right here.
“Ricciardo was introduced again with the prospect for him to come back to Red Bull Racing if he had proven the suitable efficiency at Racing Bulls,” he stated.
“However you must see it in a bigger context. We now have a great variety of younger drivers. There’s Hadjar, there’s Lawson. There’s additionally Iwasa, with out rating them anyplace. And we have now to look to the long run.
“And we additionally wish to have comparisons: The place does Lawson stand compared to Yuki? Then, for the long run, what does the driving force pairing seem like for our two groups?”
This then is the sport at play. Purple Bull’s driver shuffle for the US Grand Prix is just not about lifting outcomes now; as an alternative it’s all about what occurs in 18 months’ time.