DANIEL Ricciardo , one of the most iconic Formula 1 drivers of the current generation, has maybe driven an F1 car for the last time.
It’s been announced by his current team Visa CashApp Racing Bulls, that he will leave the team with immediate effect ahead of the next race in Austin, which is just a few weeks away.
RB team principal Laurent Mekies said: “Daniel 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.
“He 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.”
The Australian did lose his seat once before after being replaced by Oscar Piastri at McLaren in 2022, but this time being replaced by Liam Lawson it all feels a little too real that we may’ve seen the Honey Badger on track for the last time.
There’d been plenty of rumours ahead of last weekends race at Marina Bay that this could be his last chance to prove himself, but despite picking up the fastest lap and the driver of the day award, it wasn’t convincing enough to stay.
There were definitely signs that it could be his last race, after he finished his final lap he sat in the car a little while longer than usual, which we now know was him soaking in the last moments nonbeing in a Formula 1 car.
He also gave a very emotional post-race interview with F1 where he was nearly left in tears explaining that he knew “it could be it.”
Nevertheless Daniel Ricciardo has had a stellar F1 career, with 8 wins, 32 podiums and 3 poles.
Those career highlights being at Red Bull Racing where he earned 7 wins in 5 years, including the famously tough Monaco Grand Prix, all during a time of Mercedes dominance.
His final race victory was obtained in Monza during his stint at McLaren, giving the woking based team the only win they’ve had in years.
Regardless of his career decline when he chose to leave Reb Bull for Renault in 2019, he still did it all with the most infectious of smiles on his face, and has grown to become one of the most popular and likeable characters in the sport.
Every Formula 1 fan will certainly miss him yee-hawing his way into the Austin Paddock, riding on a horse, wearing a cowboy hat.
Thank you Daniel Ricciardo.
