Daniel Ricciardo’s time in Formula 1 looks to be coming to an end. After Red Bull announced that Liam Lawson would take his seat for the remainder of the 2024 season, the Australian driver’s future in F1 seems uncertain. Having lost his McLaren seat at the end of 2022, only to return with Red Bull’s junior team AlphaTauri, it appears Ricciardo’s comeback may be short-lived.
At 35, Ricciardo doesn’t seem to be in Red Bull team principal Christian Horner’s plans for 2025, and no other team has shown interest after a less-than-stellar season. As things stand, his 257th start at the Singapore Grand Prix could mark his final race in the sport.
Ricciardo’s F1 career, however, has been impressive. He’s claimed eight victories and made 32 podium appearances, making him one of the top performers in the current field. In fact, only seven of the 22 drivers who competed in 2024 have celebrated on the podium more times than he has.
Following the announcement of his exit, Ricciardo took to Instagram to thank the “teams and individuals” who contributed to his success. He also gave a special shout-out to his loyal fans and teased that his “next adventure” is yet to come.
F1 Reacts: Hamilton, Verstappen, and More Pay Tribute to Ricciardo
Among the first to respond to Ricciardo’s Instagram post was his former Red Bull teammate and reigning world champion, Max Verstappen. Verstappen encouraged him to keep his “head up,” assuring Ricciardo that “many more beautiful moments” are ahead.
Lando Norris, who partnered with Ricciardo during their two-year stint at McLaren, sent a heartfelt message, writing “ly [love you] brother.” Esteban Ocon, who raced alongside Ricciardo at Renault, congratulated him on his career and mentioned how much he’d “learned” from the Australian during their time together.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was one of the most vocal in his support, calling Ricciardo a “legend” of the sport. Fellow Mercedes driver George Russell also shared his feelings, saying he was “going to miss” Ricciardo on the grid—a sentiment echoed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who posted an Instagram story praising “the one and only” Ricciardo and wishing him “good luck with everything.”
Oscar Piastri, Ricciardo’s fellow Australian and his successor at McLaren, also extended his congratulations, as did Alpine’s Pierre Gasly. Meanwhile, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso expressed excitement about Ricciardo’s “new adventures,” underlining just how well-liked he is among his peers.
Guenther Steiner’s Unhappy Take on Ricciardo’s Final Interviews
Ricciardo made his Formula 1 debut back in 2011 at the British Grand Prix, racing for the struggling Hispania team while on loan from Red Bull. Of the current drivers, only Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Sergio Perez shared the grid with him at both his first and likely final races. These three are also the only active drivers who have racked up more starts than Ricciardo, who moved into F1’s all-time top 10 for race starts at the Singapore GP.
Known for his infectious smile and cheerful personality, Ricciardo’s career took a more challenging turn after his Red Bull days. His final years in the sport, particularly his time with McLaren and AlphaTauri, were often frustrating. This was painfully evident during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, where Ricciardo failed to make it past Q1 in qualifying.
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner noted the dejection in Ricciardo’s post-qualifying interview, suggesting that the Australian was no longer enjoying the sport. Steiner admitted he wasn’t “happy” watching Ricciardo’s struggle, and hinted that stepping away from F1 might be the right move for him at this stage of his career.
While Ricciardo’s future remains unclear, whether he chooses to stay involved in motorsport or explore new opportunities, his impact on Formula 1 is undeniable. Loved by his peers and adored by fans, his departure marks the end of an unforgettable chapter in F1 history.
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