@LiamLawson30 replaces @danielricciardo at @visacashapprb for remainder of season. #F1
Liam Lawson, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team-Honda, VCARB01, in the Formula 1 Paddock at the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024, Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, The Netherlands. Image credit to Mark Thompson/Getty Images. Lawson RB F1 2024, Racing Bulls F1 Lawson, F1 Market Ricciardo Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo Leaving F1.
Reserve Liam Lawson has been promoted to replace Daniel Ricciardo and partner Yuki Tsunoda at RB for the remainder of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season.
Earlier on Thursday, Oracle Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula 1 Team confirmed Ricciardo would be leaving their team and given their praises for everything he has done within the Red Bull stable and the sport.
RB then announced Lawson will step up into the VCARB01 seat from his reserve role, which the Kiwi has held since 2022, starting with the upcoming Formula 1 United States Grand Prix 2024 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
Lawson made his Formula 1 debut at last season’s Dutch Grand Prix replacing the injured Ricciardo. The New Zealander delivered an impressive set of results including scoring his first points with a ninth-placed finish at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Following lengthy discussions with Red Bull’s senior leadership team, the energy drinks company opted to let Ricciardo go and replace the Australian with Lawson for the final six races of the campaign.
This will allow the Kiwi to be evaluated against Tsunoda, who is having his best season to date and already is locked in for next year.
“Everyone here at VCARB would like to thank Daniel for his hard work across the last two seasons with us,” explained Team Principal Laurent Mekies. 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. I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome Liam. He already knows the Team well. He drove for us last season, and coped well under difficult circumstances, so it’ll be a natural transition. It’s great to see young talent from within the Red Bull family make the next step. We’re looking forward to getting our heads down and focusing on the rest of the season together.” Mekies concluded, credit to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula 1 Team for the quote.
“I’ve dreamed of being a Formula One driver since I was a kid,” commented Lawson on his Social Media Accounts. “And I’m very happy to say that dream is finally coming true. I want to thank VCARB and Red Bull for this opportunity, I’m extremely grateful and excited to get to work.” Lawson concluded.
For Ricciardo however, it is unclear what the future holds for the Australian, but it’s unlikely to be a race seat on the 2025 grid.
One spot is free at Sauber/Audi; however, it is believed no talks had been taken place with Valtteri Bottas the favourite to retain his seat.
This could spell the end of Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career, with the Perth-born Australian having scored eight victories, 32 podiums and 1329 points across 258 Grands Prix.
Ricciardo’s career spanned 14 season’s, with third in the World Driver’s Championship standings in both 2014 and 16 respectively his best finishes.
During that time, he raced for HRT, Scuderia Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Renault, McLaren and Visa Cash App RB.
Following the confirmation of his exit from the sport, the Australian took to his Instagram account to reflect on his Grand Prix career.
“I’ve loved this sport my whole life,” Ricciardo’s message stated. “It’s wild and wonderful and been a journey. 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.” Ricciardo concluded. Credit to Daniel Ricciardo for the quote.
