Daniel Ricciardo has bid farewell to his Formula One racing seat.
The switched-up rumors in the racing world have finally been confirmed: Daniel Ricciardo, the Australian racer, is stepping down from the Racing Bulls team, making room for the ambitious New Zealand driver, Liam Lawson, as soon as the next race. At 35 years old, this move could potentially conclude Ricciardo's noteworthy Formula 1 career.
On a Thursday afternoon, the Racing Bulls team publicly acknowledged what had been more of an insider secret during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend – Ricciardo will be replaced by Lawson, starting from the current season's last leg at Austin (October 20).
The Racing Bulls team posted their gratitude to Ricciardo on social media, praising his expertise, inventiveness, and outstanding attitude. Team principal Laurent Mekies echoed this sentiment, recognizing Ricciardo's remarkable contributions to the team's growth and improved team spirit.
Ricciardo first stepped into the world of Formula 1 in 2011, having competed in a total of 257 races thus far, placing him in the top 10 on the all-time list. Joining Racing Bulls in 2014, he outshone Sebastian Vettel, finishing third in the World Championship twice (2014, 2016). Despite his achievements, a series of unfortunate team changes and decreased performance held him back from claiming more laurels. Overall, he clinched eight race victories, but his position at Racing Bulls was often overshadowed by Yuki Tsunoda, prompting Red Bull to pass on the opportunity to Lawson.
With Ricciardo's departure from Singapore appearing unusual in various ways, speculations of his future in Formula 1 remain uncertain. Publicly, Ricciardo seemed emotional and couldn't provide any clarifications on the matter, as Red Bull was yet to make an official announcement. On track, despite not being part of Racing Bulls’ championship-winning team, Ricciardo extended his support to title defender Max Verstappen, choosing to switch to fresh tires late in the race to set the fastest lap, ultimately depriving McLaren's Lando Norris of the valuable point that could have been crucial in his pursuit of Verstappen's title.
The Commission, composed of racing officials, convened to discuss Ricciardo's departure from Racing Bulls, understanding the significance of his contributions to the sport. Following Ricciardo's departure, The Commission released a statement praising his achievements in Formula 1 and acknowledging his impact on the growth of the sport.
