Daniel Ricciardo Leaves RB With Immediate Effect; Liam Lawson Brought in as Replacement For Rest of F1 Season

New Zealander Liam Lawson will replace Daniel Ricciardo at RB alongside Yuki Tsunoda for the remainder of the season.

Earlier on Thursday, Red Bull and RB confirmed Ricciardo would be leaving the team and expressed their gratitude for his efforts across two stints with the Red Bull family.

The Australian self-styled “Honey Badger” came last of the 18 finishers in his RB at the Marina Bay Circuit, but not before he had managed to snatch the fastest lap from race winner Lando Norris.

RB had decided to let Ricciardo go and draft Lawson in for the final six races of the season to race with teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

They then announced Lawson would step up from his reserve role, which he’s held since 2022, starting with the upcoming United States Grand Prix in Austin.

Lawson made his Grand Prix debut at Zandvoort last year as a super sub for the injured Ricciardo. The 22-year-old delivered an impressive set of results across a five-race period, including his first points with ninth at the Singapore Grand Prix.

“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,” said RB boss Laurent Mekies.

“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.

Ricciardo also took to social media to announce his retirement, and shared his heartfelt thanks to his fans and supporters.

Ricciardo was widely loved as one of the most affable drivers in the paddock, with an infectious permanent smile and great sense of humour.

He introduced Aussie culture, in the form of the “Shoey”, to the podium as he guzzled champagne from his sweaty racing boot after each of his wins.

Ricciardo bowed out with 32 podium appearances during stints with Toro Rosso (later AlphaTauri and now RB), Red Bull, Renault and McLaren, scoring 1,329 points.

(with agency inputs)