The speculation is over and so is Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula One career, leaving Aussie fans furious over the way Red Bull sealed the deal.
Ricciardo, 35, was officially axed by Red Bull affiliate RB Racing on Monday to bring in Kiwi young gun Liam Lawson for the final six races of the F1 season.
It brings a close to months of wild speculation, that began with the Aussie firming for a Red Bull return at the expense of Sergio Perez and ended with the axe falling in devastating fashion.
Ricciardo exited with class and emotion in Singapore, recording the fastest lap time as a final sign off in a career that has netted eight GP wins – more than any other Australian.
‘I have to acknowledge it’s obviously been a little bit of a race-by-race situation and I would obviously have loved the weekend to have gone better,’ he said.
‘It didn’t, so I have to be prepared for this maybe being it.
‘Let’s say I’m at peace with it. At some point, it will come for all of us.’
Daniel Ricciardo endeared himself to Aussies and the F1 world with his famous ‘shoey’ celebration that came out eight times during his career
The moment of realisation came after the Singapore GP when Ricciardo knew he had raced in Formula One for the last time
Ricciardo showed all the promise in the world early in his career and finished third in the driver’s championship on two occasions in addition to winning the Monaco GP (pictured)
His supporters were resigned to his fate, but also left furious at how Red Bull could treat the Australian great without giving him a fitting finale.
Many were also left fuming at Red Bull for making the call despite the ongoing form concerns surrounding Sergio Perez who escaped the axe.
‘Zero world where Sergio Perez should be a 2025 driver and Daniel Ricciardo isn’t. Big shame,’ one posted.
‘The tough pill to swallow for so many fans is the belief that if Daniel Ricciardo was driving Sergio Perez’s Red Bull this season, he’d have performed better than Checo has through 18 races,’ added another.
‘Daniel Ricciardo can do a fastest lap in the Red Bull Hot Wheels car while Sergio Perez only gets 10th I’m just connecting dots here,’ posted yet another.
Racing was always in Ricciardo’s blood as he announced himself as a promising junior karting star before his 10th birthday
Success came early for Ricciardo but he found himself battling in the final years of his career
Others firmly lashed Red Bull and RB for setting up Ricciardo to fail all season.
‘You gave him crap strategies and a crap car all year. Take accountability. Don’t take it out on Daniel,’ a furious fan posted.
‘It sucks, but results are results, and Red Bull have always been cutthroat since they began in 2005,’ pointed out another.
‘That’s a tough moment for Daniel Ricciardo! If this is indeed his last F1 race, it’s bittersweet to leave on such a high note with the fastest lap at the Singapore GP. He’s had an incredible career, and it’ll be interesting to see how things unfold with Liam Lawson stepping in,’ posted another.
Others were in denial over the announcement and urged Red Bull to give Ricciardo one last crack.
‘Christian Horner if you don’t sign Daniel Ricciardo back into the main Red Bull team I will crawl into your walls and scream at night,’ an outraged supporter posted.
‘Not very nice what the RB have done. I just can’t find the words to write. Because you are a hero for your country,’ another posted.
After leaving Red Bull, Ricciardo delivered success to McLaren after a long drought
Ricciardo’s parents knew he had the need for speed from the earliest age growing up in Perth
The outrage extended to Ricciardo’s final race, with the Aussie ordered to compete on soft tyres despite openly admitting he struggles on them.
‘Did RB just give him the worst possible strategy? I am dumbfounded by what they did,’ one fan asked.
‘Absolutely terrible strategy for DR with 2 stops. He fought his way to 12th before being pitted again. Definitely fighting RB management which is crap. Will always be a class act in my opinion,’ another fan posted.
‘Sabotaged by garage politics,’ fumed another.
Others were just happy to honour Australia’s best-ever Formula One driver.
‘A true Aussie champion one in a billion,’ a fan summed up simply.
Ricciardo’s journey to the pinnacle of motorsport began in Perth, Australia, where his passion for racing was ignited at a young age by his father, Joe Ricciardo, who was an amateur racer.
This early exposure to motorsport fueled Daniel’s ambition and led him to karting at the age of nine. H
is family’s support was instrumental in his rise through the ranks, from local karting competitions to international circuits.
Ricciardo’s talent shone brightly as he progressed through junior categories, eventually winning the British Formula 3 championship in 2009.
Ricciardo’s father Joe was an amateur racing so the F1 star was exposed to the track from a very young age
The trademark Daniel Ricciardo smile has endured from his early childhood photos to today
Ricciardo made his Formula 1 debut in 2011 with HRT, gradually progressing to more competitive teams such as Toro Rosso and Red Bull, where he achieved significant success.
His career highlights include winning seven races with Red Bull, finishing third overall in the championship in 2014 and 2016.
Ricciardo’s aggressive driving style and late-braking manoeuvres earned him a reputation for spectacular overtakes, particularly during his memorable victories in Canada, Hungary, and Belgium.
Joining McLaren in 2021, he secured a remarkable win at the Italian Grand Prix, marking McLaren’s first victory since 2012.
Ricciardo’s ability to adapt and excel across multiple teams underscores his status as Australia’s greatest F1 driver, a title bolstered by his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2022.
His charismatic personality and ubiquitous smile have made him a fan favourite, enhancing the global appeal of Formula 1.
Despite challenges in recent seasons, Ricciardo’s return to Red Bull’s fold as a reserve driver in 2023, and later with AlphaTauri [rebranded RB], highlights his enduring presence and influence in the sport.
His journey from karting in Australia to the pinnacle of motorsport is a testament to his skill, resilience, and the pioneering path he has carved for future Australian drivers.