How Red Bull could have put $35m-per-year deal in jeopardy after axing Aussie star Daniel Ricciardo

Liam Lawson will replace Daniel Ricciardo at the Visa Cash App RB team for the final six races of the Formula 1 season.

The team opted to part ways with the beloved Australian driver due to his indifferent form on track this season.

But it looks like the Austrian Formula 1 team could be missing out on a chunk of money thanks to a deal the former McLaren driver helped them win, according to reports.

Ricciardo was officially fired by Red Bull Racing after the Singapore Grand Prix. His best finish this season came in Canada, where he finished eighth in the race, with Ricciardo failing to finish in the top ten in his last seven races with the team and finishing 18th in Singapore.

Off the track, Ricciardo is one of the sport’s most marketable characters, thanks to his charm, humor and entertaining driving.

Helmut Marko recently stated that the Australian’s departure was due to his poor form

But Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has admitted the team would welcome Ricciardo back as an ambassador

There has been speculation in recent weeks about what his next career move will be, with Red Bull team boss Christian Horner saying the team has offered him an ambassadorial role.

But it appears that Ricciardo’s dismissal could have a major impact on Red Bull’s revenue streams.

That is according to News.com.au who claim that the team’s ‘commercial value could decline significantly’ following his departure.

A report from ESPN claims that Ricciardo had helped the team land a massive $35 million-a-year partnership deal with Visa and Cash App.

The outlet claims that Ricciardo’s representatives, CAA Sports, helped arrange the deal.

Sources close to the outlet had also concluded that Ricciardo’s role in the team helped increase the value of the transaction.

ESPN Claims Ricciardo Had a Role in Brokering $35 Million Deal with Visa and Cash App

His presence in the sport and around the world had helped the team increase the final amount of the deal, sources close to ESPN said.

Since his departure, Ricciardo has also been given the opportunity for a stint in Supercars.

Supercars boss Shane Howard said last week that eight-time Formula One race winner Ricciardo was urging the Australian to consider a switch to the sport.

“If Daniel is listening, we want you to race here,” Howard said Thursday, ahead of the Bathurst 1000.

‘Wouldn’t that be fantastic? To have someone with the quality of Daniel Ricciardo as a driver.

‘He has a huge personality. It would be very special to have him in one of our cars. We have an open invitation for Daniel.”

However, there is still a chance he could return to Formula 1, with Horner stating that Red Bull Racing would like him to work as an ambassador for the organisation.

The Australian has also been given a potential lifeline back into motorsport, with Supercars bosses offering the driver the chance to drive on the Australian racing circuit.

“Daniel is just a brilliant character, a brilliant person,” Horner said after Ricciardo’s departure. “He lights up a room when he walks in, he has that infectious smile. I hope he stays with the sport.

“We have made it very clear that we want him to retain an ambassadorial role with the team. Of course, you never really know. If Liam doesn’t get the job done, as Checo [Perez] fails to get the job done… We know what Daniel’s capabilities are.’