Daniel Ricciardo is all class.
The Australia’s Formula One career is likely over after he was unceremoniously dumped by Red Bull.
Ricciardo had an emotional farewell at the Singapore Grand Prix, despite Red Bull only officially cutting him loose the following week. Red Bull were also slammed for their handling of the situation.
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Liam Lawson will replace Ricciardo at Red Bull’s feeder team VCARB — his contract stipulated he had to drive at least the last six races of the season.
The 22-year-old impressed while filling for an injured Ricciardo last year and will get his chance to push his case for a full-time drive in 2025.
Lawson has revealed Ricciardo offered some words of wisdom in Singapore, in a typically classy act from the Aussie on his way out the door.
“I respect massively how he dealt with it,” Lawson told Sky Sports.
Watch Liam Lawson’s tribute to Daniel Ricciardo in the video above
“He’s never made it feel like we were in competition since last year when I jumped in after his wrist.
“He’s always been good to me, in more ways than what most people will know, even just little things within the team.
“It wasn’t a great feeling in Singapore. When I left the track on Sunday, I went and saw him and I said, ‘I’m sorry for this whole situation because I know it sucks and it’s nothing against you’.
“He said, ‘Make the most of this opportunity because you get one shot at F1’. He wished me luck, which I respected massively.”
Speaking to New Zealand radio station Newstalk ZB after his promotion was made public, Lawson revealed he had known the awkward handover was coming for some time.
“I knew about it for the last probably two weeks,” Lawson said.
“It had been the plan for a long time now, where it was leading.
“I had a contract date that needed to be fulfilled. Basically it was going towards this way, and then a couple of weeks ago basically they told me this is what was going to happen, and then basically not long after that it was basically set in stone.”
Lawson also gave an insight to the awkwardness he felt in the garage at the Singapore Grand Prix as Ricciardo answered questions about his future and made it clear he had driven his last race.
“Not good, honestly,” said Lawson, who is the 10th New Zealander to drive in F1.
“Singapore was definitely not an enjoyable weekend for me just because obviously we all knew what was coming.
“From my side, I was lucky I could try and avoid all media and not really take any interviews. But for Daniel, he’s having to do press conferences and things like that.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told the F1 Nation podcast veteran team adviser Helmut Marko wanted to give Ricciardo the flick as early as the Spanish Grand Prix in June.
Ricciardo ultimately drove eight more races before being sacked by Red Bull in a stay of execution that would be have been incredibly difficult for the 35-year-old to deal with.
“I mean, he started the season roughly, and then Miami was a weekend of two halves,” Horner said.
“The Friday and Saturday morning was fantastic … but then the Saturday afternoon and the Sunday were disastrous.”
“And even around Barcelona, Helmut wanted him out of the car, and there was already a lot of pressure on him there.”
“I’ve done my very best to buy him as much time in the car to allow him to deliver, otherwise he would have been out of the car after Barcelona.”
The Aussie’s form never got to the level where he was putting significant pressure on Red Bull’s No. 2 driver Sergio Perez.
“All the drivers are under pressure to deliver, but the reason that Daniel was in that car was to get himself back into a position to ultimately be there to pick up the pieces if Checo didn’t deliver,” Horner said.
“And the problem was they both had issues with form at varying times. Checo started the season very well, very strongly, and Daniel was struggling.
“And then as Checo lost form, Daniel found a bit of form, but it was never compelling enough to say ‘OK we should switch the two drivers’.”
Ricciardo is expected to take some time to reassess his career options. He has been linked with potential moves to NASCAR or Australia’s Supercars championship, having previously spoken about his wish to race around Bathurst’s Mount Panorama.
Supercars boss Shane Howard said ahead of next week’s Bathurst 1000: “I think everyone would welcome Daniel with open arms, absolutely.
“Would we like to see Daniel Ricciardo in a Supercar? One hundred per cent.
“Just imagine if he could be in one of our cars and race in a new street race in Perth, that would be something special, wouldn’t it?
“It would be absolutely massive. He is such an incredible driver and such an incredible personality and people just absolutely love him.
“Imagine him racing at Bathurst, wow. That would be very cool indeed.”
Marko has reportedly offered Ricciardo an ambassadorial role with Red Bull, but it’s unlikely he will take up the offer.
“He is, especially in the United States, one of the most popular Formula 1 drivers,” Marko told Motorsport.Total.
“On the other hand, if he is no longer an active driver, I don’t know if he would then feel like doing those PR activities.”
The F1 season continues at the United States Grand Prix on Monday 21 October (AEST).
Source Agencies
