Ricciardo facing end of F1 career as RB replace him with Lawson · RaceFans

Red Bull have confirmed Daniel Ricciardo will not see out the season at their second F1 team, RB.

Just 14 months after handing Ricciardo his return to F1, Red Bull have chosen to replace him with Liam Lawson for the final six rounds, beginning with the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

The widely-expected move follows a weekend of intense speculation over Ricciardo’s future during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. The veteran of over 250 grand prix starts and eight-times grand prix winner was visibly emotional after finishing Sunday’s race, admitting he knew that “could be it” for his F1 career.

Neither RB or owners Red Bull gave any official indication that they were set to drop Ricciardo from the team following the weekend. However, the team has now confirmed that Ricciardo has competed in his final race for RB.

Team principal Laurent Mekies thanked Ricciardo for his contribution to the team since joining them in the middle of last season. “He has brought a lot of experience and talent to the team with a fantastic attitude, which has helped everyone to develop and foster a tight team spirit,” he said.

“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.”

Lawson will replace Ricciardo for the second time in as many years. The 22-year-old raced in five grands prix for RB in 2023 after Ricciardo broke his left wrist in a practice crash at Zandvoort.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

His spell as a substitute was widely regarded as a success. Lawson acquitted himself well on his short-notice debut in the Dutch Grand Prix, then scored the team’s best result of the season up to that point with ninth place in Singapore.

Mekies said Lawson “coped well under difficult circumstances” last year and expects his integration into the team will prove a “natural transition.”

“It’s great to see young talent from within the Red Bull family make the next step,” he added. “We’re looking forward to getting our heads down and focusing on the rest of the season together.”

For Ricciardo, losing his race seat at RB is likely to mean the end of his F1 career. The 35-year-old made his world championship debut with HRT in 2011 as a Red Bull junior, before racing for two seasons with Toro Rosso, the team now known as RB.

Ricciardo was promoted to Red Bull’s senior team in 2014 alongside Sebastian…