F1 legend DROPPED and replaced by 22-year-old Kiwi driver for the remainder of the 2024 season
- Daniel Ricciardo has lost his seat at Red Bull after a disappointing run of form
- The 35-year-old only finished in the top 10 in three of his 18 races in 2024
- RB initially replaced Ricciardo with New Zealand’s Liam Lawson, 22
Formula 1 legend Daniel Ricciardo has lost his seat at Red Bull after disappointing form.
The 35-year-old has been racing in F1 since 2011 and has topped the podium at eight Grand Prix during a stellar career. However, he has only finished in the top 10 in three of his 18 races this year.
With six races left in the 2024 season, RB has opted to replace Ricciardo with 22-year-old Liam Lawson.
Lawson, from Hastings in New Zealand, is expected to be given the chance to impress RB bosses before they finalize their 2025 plans.
The Kiwi driver replaced Ricciardo for five races during the 2023 season after the Australian broke his wrist in a crash at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Daniel Ricciardo has been dropped by Red Bull with six races left in the 2024 season
Red Bull has initially recruited 22-year-old driver Liam Lawson as a replacement for Ricciardo
Ricciardo finished 18th at the Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit last weekend
A team statement issued on Thursday evening read: ‘Visa Cash App RB can today confirm that Liam Lawson will drive for the team for the remainder of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season, racing alongside Yuki Tsunoda in the United Grand Prix States on Thursday evening. the Circuit of America.
‘Liam has been a reserve driver at Red Bull since 2022 and made his Grand Prix debut in Zandvoort last year during Daniel’s recovery period. During his impressive five-race run, he scored points for the team and finished ninth in the Singapore GP.’
Ricciardo – who was one of F1’s most popular characters during his 13-year career – later wrote in an Instagram post: ‘I’ve loved this sport all my life. It’s wild and beautiful and it’s been a journey.
‘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 will always have its highs and lows, but it was fun and honestly, I wouldn’t change it.
‘Until the next adventure.’
The 35-year-old Australian, pictured drinking champagne from his shoe as he stood on the Monza podium in 2021, has won eight Grand Prix during his Formula 1 career
RB team principal Laurent Mekies said: “Everyone here at VCARB would like to thank Daniel for his hard work over the past two seasons with us. He has brought a lot 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.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Liam. He already knows the team well. He rode for us last season and did well in difficult conditions, so it will be a natural transition. It’s great to see young talent from the Red Bull family taking the next step. We look forward to putting our heads down and focusing on the rest of the season together.”