In a recent announcement, Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from Formula One was confirmed, as he will be replaced by New Zealander Liam Lawson at Red Bull Racing for the remainder of the season. This change is set to take effect during the upcoming race in Austin, Texas, on October 20. The 35-year-old Australian, who boasts an impressive record as an eight-time race winner over his career spanning 257 races, has faced uncertainty about his future throughout much of this season.
RB’s team principal, Laurent Mekies, shared his appreciation for Ricciardo’s contributions over the past two seasons, stating, “Everyone here would like to thank Daniel for his hard work. He has brought a lot of experience and talent to the team with a fantastic attitude, helping to foster a strong team spirit.”
Mekies also praised Ricciardo’s character, saying, “Daniel has been a true gentleman both on and off the track, always wearing that smile. He will be missed but will forever hold a special place within the Red Bull family.”
As Lawson steps in, Mekies expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, noting, “Liam is already familiar with the team. He drove for us last season and handled challenging circumstances well, so this transition feels natural. It’s exciting to see young talent from within the Red Bull family take this next step, and we’re looking forward to focusing on the remainder of the season together.”
Ricciardo faced significant challenges after being dropped by McLaren at the end of 2022 following two tough seasons. Red Bull offered him a lifeline mid-last season, allowing him to replace Nyck de Vries, but he unfortunately suffered a wrist injury just three races into his comeback, which led to Lawson taking over for the next five races.
He initially made a strong return, qualifying fourth in Mexico, but struggled to keep up with teammate Yuki Tsunoda for the rest of the season, earning only 12 points compared to Tsunoda’s 22. In fact, Ricciardo has been out-qualified by Tsunoda in 12 of the 18 rounds so far. His final noteworthy achievement came last Sunday in Singapore, where he earned a bonus point by securing the fastest lap, contributing to Max Verstappen’s title bid as Red Bull’s defending world champion.
