Daniel Ricciardo's F1 career appears at an end after the Australian was dropped by RB for the remainder of the season; Liam Lawson returns to the grid after making a five-race cameo in 2023; the 22-year-old New Zealander has the opportunity to earn himself a place on the 2025 grid
Thursday 26 September 2024 21:03, UK
RB have confirmed Liam Lawson will replace Daniel Ricciardo for the remaining six rounds of the 2024 Formula 1 season in a move that is set to end the latter's career in the sport.
The decision had been all but confirmed by Red Bull's junior squad at the Singapore Grand Prix, but was finally officially announced in press releases on Thursday.
The move appears to be the final act of Ricciardo's F1 career as a driver, with the 35-year-old Australian having claimed eight victories in 257 grand prix starts across 14 seasons.
In a post on Instagram which appeared to signal he was leaving the sport, Ricciardo wrote: "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."
Sky Sports News understands Ricciardo was formally told of his fate in a face-to-face meeting with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner in Singapore.
Although Lawson has only been confirmed in the RB seat for the season's final six races, Ricciardo is not thought to be a contender for either Red Bull team next year.
But Lawson, who drove for RB in place of an injured Ricciardo at five races last season, now has the opportunity to prove he merits the seat on a permanent basis in 2025, or even earn a promotion to drive alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
The 22-year-old New Zealander was largely impressive during his 2023 cameo, scoring points in Singapore and also twice finishing just one position outside the points in 11th.
"Everyone here at [RB] would like to thank Daniel for his hard work across the last two seasons with us," team principal Laurent Mekies said.
"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."
With the future of Verstappen's team-mate Sergio Perez unclear as a result of the Mexican's hugely disappointing campaign to date, there is uncertainty around who will drive alongside the three-time world champion next season.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton took to social media to pay tribute to the Australian, saying: "It's been a honour to compete with you over the years. I'll never forget the battles, the laughs, and drinking out of your shoe. It was gross, but glad I got to do it with you bud.
"You leave a legacy of always being yourself, which in this sport is never easy. You've taken it all with the biggest smile and I salute you for it. There is so much more for you up ahead and I can't wait to see what you do next. Always here for you, man."
Hamilton's current Mercedes team-mate George Russell added: "Going to miss you mate."
Ricciardo began his F1 career in the Red Bull family with Toro Rosso in 2011 before being called up to the senior team in 2014, where he would make a major impact by winning three races and outperforming his four-time world champion team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
Ricciardo continued to drive impressively at Red Bull but decided to leave the team in 2018 with then team-mate Verstappen's ascent to the top of the sport under way.
Two-year stints at Renault and McLaren followed but he largely struggled to reproduce his Red Bull form and was released from his contract a year early by the latter at the end of 2022.
Ricciardo began the 2023 season as Red Bull and RB reserve driver before replacing Nyck de Vries midway through the year, only for a broken hand suffered at the Dutch Grand Prix to halt his momentum.
The 2024 season was seen as a major opportunity for Ricciardo to press his claims for a return to Red Bull, but an underwhelming campaign has seen him outperformed by team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, who is 10 points better off in the Drivers' Championship.
Just six races remain in Formula 1 2024 and the season resumes with the United States Grand Prix in Austin from October 18-20, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership - No contract, cancel anytime
