Daniel Ricciardo has bid farewell to the Formula One racing seat.
The shift in drivers has been gossiped about, and now it's confirmed: Daniel Ricciardo is bidding farewell to the Racing Bulls team, making room for the budding New Zealand star Liam Lawson as soon as the next competition. For the 35-year-old Ricciardo, this potentially signifies the twilight of his illustrious Formula 1 career.
The Australian Ricciardo has officially been removed from Formula 1's elite roster on Thursday, marking a potential closure to his lengthy tenure in the premier league. The Racing Bulls team publicly announced what had been a whispered secret surrounding the recent Singapore Grand Prix weekend: Ricciardo will be replaced by the 22-year-old Lawson during the current season. Lawson is set to take the reins as early as the upcoming event in Austin, slated for October 20.
"Farewell, Daniel," Red Bull Racing's sister team wrote on its social media platforms on Thursday afternoon. Team principal Laurent Mekies offered heartfelt accolades for the leaving driver, praising Ricciardo's "wealth of experience, raw talent, and exceptional disposition" that contributed to team development and bolstered team morale.
Ricciardo, now reaching the ripe age of 35, debuted in Formula 1 in 2011 and has competed in 257 races, positioning him 10th on the all-time list. Having joined Red Bull in 2014, he surpassed Sebastian Vettel and finished third in the world championship two times (2014, 2016). Regrettably, however, he failed to build on this success, often hampered by unfortunate team transitions. He won eight races throughout his career, but consistently stumbled behind Yuki Tsunoda at Racing Bulls and Red Bull ultimately decided to give Lawson a permanent seat in the driver's seat.
It's highly unlikely that Ricciardo will be offered another opportunity in Formula 1. Ricciardo's departure from Singapore was unusual for various reasons. The news was already circulating, and Ricciardo appeared emotional following the race without officially confirming anything as Red Bull hadn't made a statement just yet. Ricciardo showed support for title defender Max Verstappen on the track, executing a late tire change in the race to secure the fastest lap and steal a valuable point from McLaren driver Lando Norris, who desperately needed it in his quest to challenge Verstappen.
The Commission approved Red Bull Racing's decision to replace Daniel Ricciardo with Liam Lawson during the current season, acknowledging the shift in drivers within the team. The Commission's statement highlighted the need for fresh talent and potential in the premier league, commending Lawson's promising career so far.
