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Daniel Ricciardo’s Emotional Farewell from Formula One

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Daniel Ricciardo’s Unceremonious Exit from Formula One

Daniel Ricciardo's Unceremonious Exit from Formula One

This was not how Daniel Ricciardo’s illustrious Formula One career was meant to conclude. For a driver who once appeared destined to become a world champion, captivating fans with his charismatic personality and infectious smile, he deserved a much more fitting farewell after 13 years on the grid. Instead, he found himself in a state of uncertainty, treated to an unofficial goodbye at the Singapore Grand Prix last Sunday, without any definitive closure regarding his future or a decision about whether he would return to the circuit in Austin next month.

Clarity didn’t come until Thursday, four days after Ricciardo had offered what he believed would be his final farewells to the F1 paddock, when Red Bull Racing finally confirmed his departure. This announcement effectively put an end to what had become a Schrödinger’s driver scenario: Ricciardo was simultaneously leaving and yet to leave. His emotional display on Sunday hinted at the inevitable, yet he was deprived of the opportunity to say a proper goodbye to the sport that had been his home. The entire situation unfolded with an unspoken asterisk.

During his media sessions on Thursday in Singapore, Ricciardo acknowledged the swirling rumors that he could be replaced by Liam Lawson, Red Bull’s reserve driver, as early as the next race. However, he seemed more preoccupied with the prospects of 2025 than the remainder of the current season. He didn’t genuinely believe that the Singapore race would mark the end of his F1 journey.

By Saturday, as Ricciardo processed his disappointing Q1 exit that left him in 16th place on the grid—while his teammate Yuki Tsunoda made it through to Q3—his tone and body language suggested a significant shift in his outlook. What was once a mere possibility had now morphed into an assumed reality. He made a conscious effort to soak in every moment of Sunday’s race, knowing it could very well be his last time competing in F1. This even extended to taking a bit of extra time to sit in his car after crossing the finish line, relishing the cockpit that had been his home for over a decade.

“The cockpit is something that … I got very used to for many years,” Ricciardo said in an emotional interview with F1 TV after the race, visibly fighting back tears. “I just wanted to savor the moment.”

While Ricciardo may not be the grand prix driver he once was during his tenure at Red Bull—the one who burst onto the scene and overshadowed four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in 2014, who dazzled around the streets of Monaco in 2018, or who posed a genuine challenge to Max Verstappen—he deserved a far better exit than this awkward and drawn-out affair that left everyone feeling disillusioned.

Even as Ricciardo spoke with the sentiment of a man who had raced for the last time in F1 on Sunday, the official stance from Red Bull and its affiliates was that no decision had been made. The only acknowledgment of a potential driver lineup change came in Red Bull’s post-race press release, where team principal Laurent Mekies noted that it “may have been Daniel’s last race” while explaining the choice to pit Ricciardo for the fastest lap late in the event. Red Bull F1 chief Christian Horner stated on Sunday that the upcoming break before Austin would be an opportunity to review driver performances across both Red Bull teams, implying that Ricciardo was “just one part of the jigsaw.”

The urgency for this review stemmed from Lawson and the necessity to make a decision regarding his future to prevent losing him due to contractual clauses. If Red Bull failed to secure him on the F1 grid, he would be free to leave their driver setup. Given Lawson’s impressive performances during his five-race stint while Ricciardo was sidelined with injury last year, Red Bull was keen to retain a talent that could significantly impact its F1 future.

For Ricciardo, the timing of the decision meant that, should Red Bull choose to make a change with six races remaining in the season, there was always the risk he would be deprived of a proper farewell unless a resolution was reached before Singapore.

And among all the races not to be present at, the United States Grand Prix in Austin—where Ricciardo fully embraces the festive spirit, often sporting Texas Longhorns jerseys, cowboy hats, and even parading into the paddock on horseback—seems to be the most regrettable one for a preemptive change. His commercial appeal, especially in the United States, remains undeniable.

The reasoning behind the performance-based decision is understandable. Ricciardo has accumulated just one point in his last seven races, while Lawson showcased his abilities during his previous stint. With Haas closing the gap in the constructors’ championship standings, sometimes tough decisions must be made for the broader benefit of the team.

However, the drawn-out nature of this situation turned it into a lose-lose scenario for Red Bull. Had it been announced that Singapore would be Ricciardo’s last race, he would have had the opportunity to fully embrace the grand prix weekend and receive a proper send-off. The uncertainty left lingering, coupled with hesitant and doubtful responses, ultimately robbed the F1 community of a more heartfelt farewell.

Social media buzzed with videos of Ricciardo’s emotional conversations in Singapore, edits set to “Pink Skies,” his favorite song by Zach Bryan, and nostalgic clips from his memorable “enjoy the butterflies” interview. All of this unfolded under the assumption of a decision that remained unconfirmed until days later.

Daniel Ricciardo's Emotional Farewell from Formula One

No, we are not bidding farewell to one of F1’s all-time greats or even one of the top drivers currently on the grid. Nonetheless, it is still a sudden, poignant farewell to a figure who played a pivotal role in shaping F1 throughout the 2010s and made significant contributions to Red Bull’s storied history.

Formula One can be merciless, and this is no secret. But for someone like Ricciardo, who has poured so much heart and personality into being more than just another driver, he truly deserved better.

(Top photo of Daniel Ricciardo after the Singapore Grand Prix: Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images)

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Daniel Ricciardo’s Emotional Farewell from Formula One
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