The Italian team announced on Thursday that Daniel Ricciardo will be replaced by Liam Lawson at Team RB until the end of the season, as the Australian bids farewell to Formula 1 for the second time.
He said in a statement: “RB can confirm that Liam Lawson will drive the team until the end of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship season, where he will race alongside Yuki Tsunoda in the United States Grand Prix, at the Circuit of the Americas.”
After days of news about his possible departure, it was officially confirmed on Thursday that the 22-year-old New Zealander, who has been a reserve driver for Red Bull since 2022, will replace Daniel Ricciardo, for the second time in his career without a place in Formula 1.
Thus, Lawson returns to his role as an active driver in the RB team, after last year he replaced the experienced Australian in five races, after he suffered a fracture of the metatarsal in his left hand in free practice at the Dutch Grand Prix, and his best classification was ninth place.
He added: “He represented us last season and performed well under difficult circumstances, so it will be a natural transition.” “It's great to see young talent from the Red Bull family taking the next step.”
Laurent Mekes also praised Ricciardo, highlighting his “hard work”. “He brings a lot of experience and talent to the team, with a great attitude. […] Daniel was a gentleman on and off the track and always smiling. “We will miss him, but he will always have a special place in the Red Bull family.”
After terminating his contract with McLaren early at the end of 2022, the 35-year-old Australian returned to earn a place in Formula 1 in July 2023, replacing Dutchman Nyck de Vries in the Red Bull Aerospace Team, the team that signed him. He was recruited as a reserve driver for the season.
Now, having scored just 12 points – when 18 of the 24 grand prix are contested – this season, it appears that Ricciardo's Formula 1 career is definitively over, as he himself suggested in mail On social media.
“I've loved this sport my whole life. It's wild and wonderful and it's been an adventure. For the teams and the people who played their part [na sua carreira]Thanks. To the fans who love this sport, sometimes more than I do, thank you. There will always be ups and downs, but it's been fun, and really, I wouldn't change that,” he wrote, referring to his turbulent journey in the sport.
Winner of eight Grands Prix, seven of them with Red Bull, the Perth driver began his career at HRT in 2011, and the following year, he signed with Toro Rosso (now RB), moving 'home' in 2014.
In 2018, while he was competing for the leadership of the team with the young Max Verstappen, he moved to Renault (2019-2020), and from there he left for McLaren (2021-2022), without results matching the potential. He initially demonstrated at Red Bull. He finished his Formula 1 career with the Red Bull Junior Team.
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