Daniel Ricciardo officially sacked by team as post goes viral

Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 farewell message is going viral after Red Bull officially sacked the Australian on Friday morning.

Daniel Ricciardo is walking into the next phase of his career. Photo: Instagram, @danielricciardo.

Daniel Ricciardo has officially been axed by Red Bull and his career in Formula 1 appears over.

The Australian on Friday morning confirmed the devastating news with an emotional post on Instagram which was flooded with thankful messages from fellow drivers.

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Red Bull’s junior team, Visa Cash App RB, has promoted Kiwi Liam Lawson to replace Ricciardo for the final six races of the year.

With RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez failing to deliver, Lawson has a real opportunity to fight for the chance to be the world champion’s teammate in the top team next year.

For Ricciardo, it all appears to be over — and he reportedly knew it before he even hopped into his car at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday night.

Ricciardo showed all the signs of an athlete about to get the sack when he said he wanted to “savour the moment” during his cool down lap.

Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater said after the team first announced the news: “Almost certainly this is the end of Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career”.

Ricciardo’s viral post also suggested there won’t be a 2025 season for the former Renault and McLaren driver.

Daniel Ricciardo with the best 18th finish you’ll ever see! Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

Ricciardo was only barely holding back the tears. Photo: Twitter

The 35-year-old’s contract expired on Sunday and he made an emotional farewell after the race when admitting his career had likely come to an end.

His farewell message on Instagram on Friday morning was also full of emotion.

“I’ve loved this sport my whole life,” he wrote with a photo of him walking away with his helmet in his hand.

“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.”

Daniel Ricciardo is walking into the next phase of his career. Photo: Instagram, @danielricciardo.

That post was flooded with comments from former teammates and world champions.

Verstappen wrote: “Head up mate! More beautiful moments to come.”

Lando Norris wrote with a heart emoji: “Ly brother”.

Lewis Hamilton posted: “It’s been an honour to compete with you over the years. I’ll never forget the battles, the laughs and drinking out of your shoe. It was gross, but glad I got to do it with you bud.

“You leave a legacy of always being yourself, which in this sport is never easy. You’ve taken it all with the biggest smile and I salute you for it. There is so much more for you up ahead and I can’t wait to see what you do next.

“Always here for you, man.”

Ricciardo’s former teammate Pierre Gasly wrote: “Congrats for what you achieved champ.”

George Russell wrote: “Going to miss you mate”.

Former driver David Coulthard posted: “You’ve left an impressive legacy behind you in the sport and always made the paddock a smilier place”.

The official Mercedes team account wrote: “You’ve been an incredible competitor over the years. Thanks for the many fun battles and the infectious energy you brought to our sport both on and off the track.”

Ricciardo’s former boss at McLaren Zak Brown wrote on Twitter: “Daniel, you’re one of a kind. A supremely quick driver and an awesome person to be around.

Nobody did it like Danny Ricc. Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)

“Your win in Monza will forever be etched into McLaren’s history. It was one of the best moments of my life, and I have the tattoo to prove it! I know that day meant a lot to you, too.

Watching you thrash Dale Earnhardt Sr’s 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo around COTA is also one of my favourite memories of our time together! MEGA!

“All the best in your next adventure, and I know you’ll crush whatever it is.”

RB team principal Laurent Mekies earlier said in the team statement: “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.”

Lawson will be driving alongside Tsunoda, starting at the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas next month.

The 22-year-old came in for five races last season after Ricciardo broke his wrist in a crash at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Mekies said: “Liam drove for us last season, and coped well under difficult circumstances, so it’ll be a natural transition.”

Ricciardo is one of the most popular drivers in the paddock, with an infectious smile and wicked sense of humour.

He spent 13 years on the grid and walks away with 32 podiums and eight victories from stints with Toro Rosso (later AlphaTauri and now RB), Red Bull, Renault and McLaren, scoring 1,329 points.

Originally published as Daniel Ricciardo officially sacked by team as post goes viral