- Daniel Ricciardo has lost his seat with Red Bull after a disappointing run of form
- The 35-year-old has only finished in the top 10 in three of his 18 races in 2024
- RB have initially replaced Ricciardo with Liam Lawson, 22, from New Zealand
Formula One legend Daniel Ricciardo has lost his seat with Red Bull following a disappointing run of form.
The 35-year-old had been racing in F1 since 2011 and topped the podium at eight Grand Prix during a fine career. However, he has only finished in the top 10 in three of his 18 races this year.
With six races remaining in the 2024 season, RB have opted to replace Ricciardo with 22-year-old Liam Lawson.
Lawson, from Hastings in New Zealand, is expected to be given an opportunity to impress RB bosses before they finalise their plans for 2025.
The Kiwi driver came in for Ricciardo for five races during the 2023 campaign after the Aussie broke his wrist in a crash at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Daniel Ricciardo has been dropped by Red Bull with six races remaining in the 2024 season
Red Bull have initially brought in 22-year-old driver Liam Lawson as Ricciardo’s replacement
Ricciardo finished 18th at last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit
A team statement issued on Thursday evening read: ‘Visa Cash App RB can today confirm that 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 Circuit of the Americas.
‘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.’
Ricciardo – who has been one of F1’s most popular characters during his 13-year career – later wrote in an Instagram post: ‘I’ve loved this sport my whole life. It’s wild and wonderful and been a journey.
‘To the teams and individuals that have played their part, thank you. To the fans who love the sport sometimes more than me haha thank you. It’ll always have its highs and lows but it’s been fun and truth be told I wouldn’t change it.
‘Until the next adventure.’
The 35-year-old Australian, pictured drinking champagne from his shoe while stood on the Monza podium in 2021, has won eight Grand Prix during his Formula One career
RB team principal Laurent Mekies said: ‘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. 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.
‘I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome Liam. He already knows the Team well. He drove for us last season, and coped well under difficult circumstances, so it’ll be a natural transition. It’s great to see young talent from within the Red Bull family make the next step. We’re looking forward to getting our heads down and focusing on the rest of the season together.’
