Veteran Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has left the sport after 13 seasons. Following underwhelming results in the 2024 season, Ricciardo, 35, was replaced by 22-year-old reserve driver Liam Lawson after the Singapore Grand Prix. Lawson, who previously raced five Grands Prix in 2023 for Scuderia AlphaTauri, will join the Visa Cash App Red Bull (VCARB) team through the end of the season.
Ricciardo began his F1 career in 2011 with HRT and joined Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2012, scoring 30 points over two seasons. He then moved to Red Bull Racing, where he had his prime, twice finishing third in the Drivers’ Championship and achieving seven race wins over five years.
In 2019, Ricciardo signed with Renault, earning 173 points in two seasons before moving to McLaren. At McLaren, he initially showed promise, scoring 123 points in his first season, but his performance declined sharply in his second season, earning only 37 points.
Ricciardo returned to Red Bull as a reserve driver in 2023, securing just six points in limited appearances. In his final season with VCARB, Ricciardo started strong but struggled in the latter half, prompting the team to make a change after Singapore. Lawson now steps in, marking a new chapter for the team.
Ricciardo retires ranked 10th all-time in points, leaving behind a legacy of grit and memorable performances. While fans bid him a bittersweet farewell, Lawson’s entry signals fresh momentum for the future.
Picture Credit: "Getty Images." CNN, n.d.,
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