Daniel Ricciardo axed by Red Bull with new driver taking over immediately (original) (raw)
Daniel Ricciardo has struggled with VCARB, picking up just 12 points this season and being outdriven by team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, with reserve driver Liam Lawson now replacing him for the rest of the season
Daniel Ricciardo has been axed by Red Bull after the Singapore Grand Prix
Daniel Ricciardo has been axed by Red Bull after he finished 18th at the Singapore Grand Prix last week - with reserve driver Liam Lawson replacing him on the Visa Cash App RB (VCARB) team with immediate effect.
Ricciardo looked emotional after the race in Singapore amid rumours it could be his last F1 race and did not deny speculation he could leave the team, saying: "If it is [my last race], I guess a nice way to say 'adios'. I am not too sure what the plan is, but I mean, look, I’ve obviously got a good idea."
The Australian driver has struggled with VCARB, picking up just 12 points this season and being outdriven by team-mate Yuki Tsunoda. And Red Bull refused to deny that he could leave as a spokesman said: "If it was to be his last race, we wanted him to go out on a high”.
Now the team have confirmed he will be leaving, with Dawson stepping up for the remainder of the season as they paid tribute to Ricciardo - calling him a "true gentleman".
“Liam Lawson will be driving for the Team for the remainder of the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship season, racing alongside Yuki Tsunoda in the United States Grand Prix at the Circuits of the Americas," the statement read.
"Liam has been a Red Bull reserve driver since 2022, making his Grand Prix debut in Zandvoort last year during Daniel’s recovery period. His impressive five-race drive saw him score points for the Team, finishing ninth in the Singapore GP."
Team Principal Laurent Mekies added: “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.
The struggling Australian has been replaced by Liam Lawson for the rest of the season (
Image:
Getty Images)
“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."
There had also been speculation Ricciardo could swap places with Lawson and become the Red Bull reserve driver, but the 35-year-old said he had no intention of doing so.
"No [I'm not interested in being a Red Bull reserve]. Obviously, last year it made a lot of sense to keep one foot in the door and obviously the big picture was to try and get back at Red Bull.
"If this is it, I want to make sure I walk away or leave the sport with good memories of it and it doesn’t get into that place where it's just a grind and I'm out in Q1 every weekend. That's obviously not fun."