Daniel Ricciardo has lost his F1 seat as Red Bull takes the decision to not continue with the Australian for rest of the 2024 season.
Having set the deadline to firm up their line-up of 2025 F1 season after the end of Singapore GP weekend, Red Bull Racing along with Visa Cash App RB have done so, which ends the run for Ricciardo with the team, with six races to go.
It was more looking likely that Ricciardo will not be chosen for 2025 and with nothing to lose, they decided to drop him and likely take Liam Lawson alongside Yuki Tsunoda for the remainder of the 2024 F1 season, before a potential full 2025 season.
Ricciardo treated Singapore GP as his last, where he gifted Red Bull a token by setting the fastest lap and aiding Max Verstappen in his title fight against Lando Norris. The Australian’s idea to return to senior Red Bull seat didn’t work out as planned.
After leaving Red Bull initially, Ricciardo joined Renault for couple of season before switching to McLaren. The spell at the Woking-based outfit more or less destroyed his confidence as he never felt home with the car against a rising Norris.
He left the team early for them to hire Oscar Piastri and spent good chunk as Red Bull and Visa Cash App RB reserve, having made a return to his roots. He was eventually given the VCARB seat after gamble with Formula E champion Nyck de Vries didn’t work out.
After injuring his hand, Lawson stepped in and performed well to give Red Bull another option. But Ricciardo got the nod still for 2024 season. It didn’t materialise. With Tsunoda secured after his good performances, the toss up was between his teammates.
With no Red Bull promotion chance at the moment, they eventually decided drop Ricciardo, thereby ending the Australian’s F1 career potentially. The announcement came via social media post by Visa Cash App RB, thanking the Australian for his services.
“Everyone here at VCARB would like to thank Daniel for his hard work across the last two seasons with us,” said Laurent Mekies. “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.”
Ricciardo took to social media too to put up a farewell message. “I’ve loved this sport my whole life,” he wrote. “It’s wild and wonderful and 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 it’s been fun and truth be told I wouldn’t change it. Until the next adventure.”
Here’s Daniel Ricciardo on potentially last race, feelings
Here’s Daniel Ricciardo and Red Bull duo on fastest lap drama
Here’s Daniel Ricciardo and others before Singapore GP weekend
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