Ricciardo feparts F1 as seat goes to Lawson

Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from Formula 1 has been officially confirmed, marking the end of his illustrious 13-year career. The 35-year-old Australian, who secured eight race victories in 257 starts, will be replaced by 22-year-old Liam Lawson at Red Bull Racing for the final six races of the 2024 season. 

This decision follows a challenging year for Ricciardo, who struggled to regain his former competitiveness after being brought back to Red Bull as a reserve driver in 2023. 

Ricciardo’s exit was anticipated during the recent Singapore Grand Prix, where he acknowledged the possibility of it being his last race. 

He expressed a sense of peace about leaving, stating, “I’ve been a young driver… if I’m not able to fight at the front… what am I staying on the grid for?”. His performance this season was inconsistent, with only 12 points compared to teammate Yuki Tsunoda’s 22, leading to his eventual replacement. 

Liam Lawson, who previously filled in for Ricciardo during his injury in 2023, is seen as a promising talent within the Red Bull family. Team principal Laurent Mekies praised both drivers, thanking Ricciardo for his contributions and welcoming Lawson back to the grid. Lawson’s previous experience with Red Bull positions him well to adapt quickly. 

Ricciardo made his F1 debut with Hispania Racing Team (HRT) in 2011, then was offered a full-time position with Toro Rosso in 2012 before he moved to Red Bull Racing, where he achieved significant success. 

However, after stints with Renault and McLaren that did not meet expectations, he returned to Red Bull’s junior team, hoping to reclaim his place among F1’s elite. 

Despite showing flashes of brilliance, including a fourth-place finish in Miami and a fastest lap in Singapore, Ricciardo could not consistently match the performance needed to secure a permanent seat for next season. 

At the moment, it seems Ricciardo may be done with the sports, although it would not be surprising if he gets offered a contract next season with another team, or he may also decide to take some time off the grid to come back better in the future.