Daniel Ricciardo will not race for RB F1 team for the rest of the 2024 season, the team has confirmed, and will be replaced by Liam Lawson.
After speculation that the Singapore Grand Prix would be Ricciardo’s last with the Red Bull junior team, it has now been confirmed the Australian will not race for the remainder of the season.
The Australian will be replaced by Lawson who had previously taken Riccardo’s seat after he had suffered a broken hand following a crash in FP1 at Zandvoort in 2023.
On Instagram, Daniel said: “I’ve loved this sport my whole life. it’s wild and wonderful and [its] been a journey.
To the teams and individuals that have played their part, thank you. To the fans who love the sport sometimes more than me haha thank you.
“It’ll always have its highs and lows but its been fun and truth be told I wouldn’t change it. Until the next adventure.”
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Lawson proved a capable driver during his short stint which opened the door for rumours at the end of 2023 that Lawson would replace Riccardo at the team in 2024.
Although Riccardo was chosen over Lawson for the current F1 season, his crash at Zaandvort could ultimately be considered as the beginning of the end of his F1 career.
Riccardo shared following the Singapore Grand Prix that he was at “peace” that his “fairytale ending didn’t happen”.
RB Team Principal, Laurent Mekie, said: ” “Everyone here at VCARB would like to thank Daniel for his hard work across the last two seasons with us.
“He has brought a lot of experience and talent to the Team with a fantastic attitude, which has helped everyone to develop and foster a tight team spirit.
“Daniel has been a true gentleman both on and off the track and never without that smile. He will be missed, but will always hold a special place within the Red Bull family.”
After being eliminated in Q1, the eight-time race winner struggled to improve on his starting position of 16th in Singapore and eventually finished 18th after pitting for a third time.
In the closing stages of the race, Ricciardo managed to help his former teammate, Max Verstappen, by taking the fastest lap point away from Lando Norris and McLaren which could prove vital for Verstappen’s championship hopes.
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Although a seat at Sauber is still up for grabs, it is considered that Bottas will continue to race for the team in 2025 and that it is unlikely he will find a seat in time to be on the grid next season.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome Liam,” Laurent added.
“He drove for us last season, and coped well under difficult circumstances, so it’ll be a natural transition.
“It’s great to see young talent from within the Red Bull family make the next step. We’re looking forward to getting our heads down and focusing on the rest of the season together.”
Racing for five teams over 13 years, his departure from RB has been widely accepted as his final departure from the sport.
Known for his go-get-it attitude and as one of the most popular drivers on the grid, Daniel has found himself in constant struggles since his move to McLaren in 2021.
Leaving the Woking outfit in 2022, Riccardo found a home at Alpha Tauri, now RB, after Nyck De Vries was released from the team in July 2023.
Ricciardo has sporadically had strong results since his return but has struggled to find any consistency in performance.
Following the announcement, Red Bull Team Principal, Christian Horner, also took to Instagram and said: “From the moment you arrived at Red Bull it was obvious you were so much more than just a driver.
“Your constant enthusiasm, sense of humour and attitude will leave an inedible legacy on the team here in Milton Keynes and F1 as a whole.”
Suggested to replace Sergio Perez in the sister team after the Mexican has had consistently poor results, team principal, Christian Horner, and team director, Helmut Marko, have expressed disappointment in his results.
With a total of 257 starts, 32 podiums and three pole positions, Riccardo is the fourth most successful Australian driver in Formula One history.
“Thank you for the wins, smiles, songs (and I wish I could say the shoeys),” Christian continued.
“You will always be a special part of the Red Bull family. 8 wins, 32 podiums, 1329 points. These statistics and accolades are not the only measure of who you are and what you have achieved.
“Thank you Daniel.”
Only Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, and Mark Webber have had more successful careers than their fellow Aussie.
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