Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team has officially announced that Daniel Ricciardo has left the team effective immediately. His departure comes as Liam Lawson, a Red Bull junior driver, is set to take his place, concluding weeks of speculation surrounding the change.
Ricciardo joined RB, previously known as Alpha Tauri, in 2023 after losing his seat at McLaren, filling in for Nyck De Vries, who was deemed to be underperforming. With his contract expiring at the end of the current season and rumors swirling about a potential return to Red Bull, RB opted to make this early change.
In an Instagram post, Ricciardo expressed his love for the sport, reflecting on his journey and thanking the teams, individuals, and fans who have supported him. He noted the highs and lows of his career but stated he would not change a thing, leaving the door open for future adventures.
RB Team Principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged Ricciardo’s contributions over the past two seasons, praising his experience, talent, and positive attitude, all of which have fostered a strong team spirit. He emphasized that Ricciardo’s presence will be missed and he will always be part of the Red Bull family.
Over his 14-year career in Formula 1, Ricciardo has achieved impressive feats, including eight race wins, 32 podium finishes, and a total of 1,329 points across 257 races. He last raced at the Singapore Grand Prix, finishing 18th.
Ricciardo began his F1 journey with HRT in 2011 and moved to Toro Rosso the following year, later joining the main Red Bull team, where he celebrated eight victories over five seasons. He then transitioned to Renault in 2019 and McLaren in 2021, where he achieved a memorable victory at the Italian Grand Prix.
While Ricciardo expressed pride in his career—stressing his ambition to become a world champion—his future in Formula 1 remains uncertain. As the team embraces a youthful direction, Lawson, 22, is set to make his full-time racing debut at the upcoming US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, after stepping in as a replacement for Ricciardo during his wrist injury in 2023.