In a surprising move, Formula One veteran Daniel Ricciardo has parted ways with Visa Cash App RB, effective immediately. The team announced that Liam Lawson will step in to fill Ricciardo’s seat for the remaining races of the 2024 season. This marks the end of Ricciardo’s second stint in Formula One, a journey that began with his return to the grid in Hungary last year with AlphaTauri, which later became Visa Cash App RB.
Red Bull’s team principal, Laurent Mekies, expressed gratitude for Ricciardo’s contributions: “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.”
Ricciardo’s F1 career spans over a decade, marked by impressive achievements. The 35-year-old Australian boasts eight race wins, three pole positions, 17 fastest laps, and 32 podium finishes, including a recent fastest lap record set at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. His Formula One journey started in 2011 at the British Grand Prix with HRT, a partnership facilitated by Red Bull Racing.
Ricciardo’s talent quickly earned him a full-time drive with Toro Rosso (now Racing Bulls) in 2012, where he spent two seasons alongside Jean-Eric Vergne. His performance led to a promotion to Red Bull in 2014, replacing the retiring Mark Webber and partnering with Sebastian Vettel. During his five-year stint with Red Bull, Ricciardo secured his first career win at the Canadian Grand Prix, followed by victories in Hungary and Belgium. He claimed a total of seven race wins before moving to Renault (now Alpine) in 2019.
Ricciardo’s journey continued with McLaren in 2021, where he secured a single win at the Italian Grand Prix, the last of his career. He returned to Red Bull as a reserve driver in 2023 before being thrust back into the F1 cockpit when he replaced Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri (now RB) at the Hungarian Grand Prix. This led to a one-year contract with RB alongside Yuki Tsunoda.
After 18 races this season, Ricciardo sits in 14th place with 12 points, two positions behind his teammate. However, his departure opens a new chapter for the team.
Liam Lawson, the 22-year-old New Zealander, will be stepping into the driver’s seat from the US Grand Prix onwards. He’s been Red Bull’s reserve driver and has been patiently waiting for his opportunity. Last season, Lawson filled in for an injured Ricciardo for five races, making his F1 debut at the Dutch Grand Prix. He impressed at the Singapore Grand Prix in 2023, qualifying in tenth place and knocking out championship leader Max Verstappen from the second part of qualifying. He finished the race in ninth, scoring points for the first time in Formula One.
Lawson’s arrival adds a new dynamic to Visa Cash App RB as he partners with Yuki Tsunoda in a bid to secure points in the remaining six races of the season.
