London, UK — Fans of Formula 1 were flabbergasted when Red Bull Racing axed Daniel Ricciardo and replaced him with young gun Liam Lawson for the rest of the 2024 season. It was a momentous decision for Ricciardo, who had returned to the Red Bull stable in 2023 but struggled to rebound from a disappointing couple of seasons.
Ricciardo is outgoing, karaoking and laying down epic overtakes, and he stood out in the Netflix series Drive to Survive. He’s much-loved and rated highly: his departure could be seen as Red Bull cutting its losses after a complicated return to the team. The Aussie driver was not as consistent as expected in his comeback, having taken some time away from F1 after injuries. His lackluster performances indicate a lack of hunger and desire to stay for another season. Red Bull is looking for that in the 21-year-old Lawson who joins the team from its junior program.
Ricciardo: A Fan Favorite
Ricciardo was an international star not only for his on-track talent, but for his outsize personality that remained on full display in Drive to Survive. The Netflix series brought Formula 1 to an audience of millions who had never before tuned into it, and Ricciardo perhaps became one of the most identifiable, likable and entertaining drivers in the world. His story – from his dramatic split from Red Bull in 2018 leading to stops at Renault and at McLaren – has been documented throughout the series.
Having come back to Red Bull via its junior team, AlphaTauri, in the wake of a sustained run of mediocrity capped by a debilitating hand injury that put him out of a trio of races in the 2023 season, a lot of us looked at Ricciardo’s story and saw a redemption: an age-old rags-to-riches-to-rags-to-rags-again-to-riches narrative that is irresistibly hard to resist. But, despite the occasional flourishes, in truth Ricciardo has been unable to muster the constancy needed to stay in his seat.
Challenges Upon Return to Red Bull
When Ricciardo re-signed with Red Bull, it seemed like his second opportunity to show the form that won him so much acclaim with his old team. But a string of injuries and a few lackluster showings made a complete comeback tricky. ‘Daniel has been a big part of Red Bull’s success over the past decade, but unfortunately he hasn’t been able to find the form that he, and everyone at the team, would have wished for,’ Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, said in an official statement.
His struggles only accentuated after the 34-year-old sustained a hand injury in 2023 that forced him to miss several races, paving the way for Lawson to succeed and impress the team.
Liam Lawson: The Rising Star
It’s a Red Bull-style checkmate: a means of making clear to Hulkenberg that he’s far from any kind of team future, and getting the young (New Zealander-born) Liam Lawson – a driver who has run close to the top of the junior categories and made a strong impression in his previous stand-in F1 appearances with AlphaTauri – on to a bigger stage. Lawson impressed during his maiden outings in F1, deputising for Ricciardo in Monaco and Azerbaijan after the Australian’s appendix burst. He was lauded for his calm under pressure, and impressive pace. For Red Bull, the decision to replace Ricciardo with Lawson represented the investment – long term, and above all in youth – that Red Bull are now reverting to. ESPN
‘Liam has stepped up to the plate beyond his years and showed every time that he’s been given an opportunity that he’s raised the bar in his performance and his work ethic.’ ‘This is his time to shine and show that he can be part of Red Bull’s future.’ The Guardian
The Legacy of Daniel Ricciardo
Regardless of the reasons behind his unexpected departure from Red Bull, Ricciardo’s time in Formula 1 is not yet over. The Aussie completes his time with Red Bull as one of the most likable drivers of the modern era, and one who has played an important role in the sport’s growth today, particularly in the US. Undoubtedly, Drive to Survive also raised Ricciardo’s profile in recent years, making him an ambassador for the sport among newer fans who appreciated his sense of humor, humility, and ‘out-there’ driving style. Daniel Ricciardo will be replaced by Liam Lawson, with immediate effect.
Depending on what happens with his potential move to Renault, Ricciardo might not be done with F1 just yet, even though his reputation as a fast and marketable driver is still strong enough that he will be considered by teams in the future.
What’s Next for Red Bull and F1?
If Red Bull truly believes that Lawson has the potential to develop into a top-line driver as he advances in his career, it’s time to find out. Red Bull needs to see if he’s got what it takes. There isn’t a driver on the current F1 grid who quite measures up to Max Verstappen. And it’s Verstappen that Red Bull needs to build its next generation of drivers around. Lawson, a rookie driver for 2022, may be just the one to lead that next wave – or he may be the bridge that leads to the third.
For now, Formula 1 fans will look on to see if Ricciardo’s absence hurts the team and the wider F1 scene. Lawson, meanwhile, will try to exploit his opportunity to become Red Bull’s next superstar.
Sources:
- Sky Sports – “Daniel Ricciardo Replaced by Liam Lawson at Red Bull.”
- ESPN – “Liam Lawson Steps Up to Red Bull as Daniel Ricciardo Exits.”
- The Guardian: Liam Lawson will replace Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull for the remainder of 2024.
- Formula 1 – “Ricciardo Departs as Red Bull Turns to Rising Star Lawson.”
