Daniel Ricciardo’s legion of fans knew the end was coming for the Aussie cult hero – but they have lashed out in dismay and claimed he won’t get a proper farewell from the sport because he was axed in the middle of the season.
Ricciardo has said farewell to a ‘wild and wonderful’ 14-year Formula One journey after the popular Australian driver was sacked by Red Bull Racing.
The eight-time F1 race winner was let go by his RB team on Thursday, an outcome which even the 35-year-old himself had been expecting after his disappointing 2024 campaign.
It means the end of a distinguished road for the former Red Bull and McLaren star who, over 14 seasons in F1, became one of the most popular and effervescent characters on the circuit, with his infectious smile lighting up the circus.
But once the news became official, fans wasted little time voicing their outrage over the timing of his axing, which came with five races remaining in the world championship.
Some pointed out that had Red Bull pulled the pin before last weekend’s race at Singapore – where the Aussie signed off in style by recording the race’s fastest lap just before the chequered flag – he would’ve received the send-off he deserved.
‘The decision to drop Daniel Ricciardo can be justified but what isn’t ok is to let a multiple race winner and a legend of the sport leave without a proper goodbye,’ wrote one commenter on X.
‘daniel ricciardo having to leave RB and formula one in during the fall break, in the middle of the season without a proper send off for all his years as a driver or celebration of any kind wow,’ added another.
Ricciardo is pictured just after he set the fastest lap of the Singapore Grand Prix in what turned out to be the last race of a great career
The fact Ricciardo was axed with five races left in the championship, denying him a fitting send-off, left many F1 fans shattered
The Aussie’s supporters have been left shattered by the timing of his departure
‘I have BIG problems with now Red Bull and VCARB have handled Daniel Ricciardo leaving F1 He’s won SEVEN races for the RB organisation, including a legendary drive at Monaco with 160 less horsepower, and spent NINE years with the two teams Why did he not get a proper send off?’ wrote a third.
‘Goes without saying that Daniel Ricciardo has done a ton for Red Bull & Formula 1’s growth. Glad he got the chance to come back after his McLaren stint & redeem himself. Wish he got a proper sendoff rather than an awkward & messy goodbye in Singapore,’ another added.
Plenty of other commenters echoed their sentiments, while other race fans could not understand how he lost his job but Red Bull’s underperforming Sergio Perez kept his.
‘I’ve loved this sport my whole life,’ Ricciardo said on Instagram, after RB had broken the news of the split.
‘To the teams and individuals that have played their part, thank you. To the fans who love the sport sometimes more than me haha thank you.
‘It’ll always have its highs and lows but it’s been fun and truth be told I wouldn’t change it.
‘Until the next adventure.’
No more shoeys: Ricciardo’s departure from the grid will leave Formula One without one of its most likeable drivers in years
His farewell had effectively been confirmed at last Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix by his RB team giving his car a fresh set of tyres so he could go out and set the fastest lap of the race as his final hurrah.
He did just that.
RB team principal Laurent Mekies said in a statement they ‘would like to thank Daniel for his hard work across the last two seasons with us.
‘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.
‘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.’