Shattered F1 fans can accept that Daniel Ricciardo’s career has come to an end – but they can’t cop one VERY disrespectful move

Daniel Ricciardo’s legion of fans knew the end was near for the Australian cult hero, but they lashed out in dismay, claiming he would not be given a proper farewell from the sport because he was fired mid-season.

Ricciardo has said goodbye to a ‘wild and wonderful’ 14-year Formula 1 journey after the popular Australian driver was fired by Red Bull Racing.

The eight-time F1 race winner was let go by his RB team on Thursday, an outcome even the 35-year-old himself had expected after his disappointing 2024 season.

It marks the end of an impressive journey for the former Red Bull and McLaren star who became one of the most popular and vibrant characters on the circuit during fourteen seasons in F1, as his infectious smile lit up the circus.

But when the news became official, fans wasted little time in expressing their outrage at the timing of his axing, which came with five races remaining in the world championship.

Some pointed out that if Red Bull had pulled the pin before last weekend’s race in Singapore – where the Australian signed off in style by recording the fastest lap of the race just before the checkered flag – he would have gotten the send-off he deserved.

“The decision to drop Daniel Ricciardo may be justified, but it is not okay to let a multiple race winner and a legend of the sport leave without a real goodbye,” wrote a commenter on X.

“Daniel Ricciardo has to leave RB and Formula 1 during the autumn holidays, in the middle of the season, without a proper farewell for all his years as a driver or any celebration whatsoever, wow,” another added.

The fact that Ricciardo was dropped with five races remaining in the championship, denying him a fitting farewell, left many F1 fans shattered

The Australian’s supporters are shattered by the timing of his departure

‘I now have BIG problems with Red Bull and VCARB caused Daniel Ricciardo to leave F1. He won SEVEN races for the RB organization, including a legendary drive in Monaco with 160 less horsepower, and spent NINE years with the two teams. Why didn’t he get a proper send-off?’ wrote a third.

‘It goes without saying that Daniel Ricciardo has done a lot for the growth of Red Bull and Formula 1. Glad he got the chance to come back after his McLaren stint and redeem himself. I wish he got a proper send-off instead of an awkward and messy send-off in Singapore,” another added.

Plenty of other commentators echoed their sentiments, while other race fans couldn’t understand how he lost his job, but Red Bull’s underperforming Sergio Perez kept his.

“I have loved this sport all my life,” Ricciardo said on Instagram after RB announced the news of the split.

‘Thank you to the teams and individuals who contributed. To the fans who sometimes love the sport more than I do, haha, thank you.

“It’s always going to have its highs and lows, but it was fun and honestly I wouldn’t change it.

‘Until the next adventure.’

No more shoeys: Ricciardo’s departure from the grid will leave Formula 1 without one of its most likeable drivers in years

His retirement was effectively confirmed at last Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix when his RB team gave his car a new set of tires so he could go out and set the fastest lap of the race as his last hurray.

He did exactly that.

RB team boss Laurent Mekies said in a statement that they would like to “thank Daniel for his hard work over the past two seasons with us.

“He has brought a great deal of experience and talent to the team with a fantastic attitude, which has helped everyone develop and nurture a strong 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.’