Visa Cash App RB have announced that Daniel Ricciardo has departed the team, with Liam Lawson named as his replacement for remainder of 2024 F1 season.
Ricciardo re-joined RB in July 2023 following Nyck De Vries’ sacking but suffered a wrist injury in FP2 for the Dutch Grand Prix, which kept him sidelined for that event plus the following four rounds.
He returned for the final five races where he only managed one top-ten finish, having finished seventh in Mexico but was retained for this season where he managed 12 points and sits 14th in the drivers’ standings.
RB however decided to make a change for the final six rounds following a dip in performance, which has left them vulnerable to Haas in their fight for sixth in the constructors’ championship.
Taking to Instagram following confirmation of his exit, Ricciardo thanked everyone in F1 for giving him ‘a wild and wonderful’ journey over the last 13 years.
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Lawson consequently has been promoted from his reserve role and will drive alongside Yuki Tsunoda for the final six rounds, having previously replaced Ricciardo last season for five rounds due to the Australian’s injury and scored two points in Singapore.
Explaining the change in driver line-up, RB Team Principal, Laurent Mekies issued the following statement.
“Everyone here at VCARB would like to thank Daniel for his hard work across the last two seasons with us.
“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.
“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.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome Liam. He already knows the Team well. He drove for us last season, and coped well under difficult circumstances, so it’ll be a natural transition.
“It’s great to see young talent from within the Red Bull family make the next step. We’re looking forward to getting our heads down and focusing on the rest of the season together.”
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