Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 exit confirmed as Liam Lawson replaces him at RB for the rest of the season | Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo’s exit from Formula 1 has been confirmed after it was announced that he will be replaced by New Zealander Liam Lawson at RB for the remainder of the season.

Ricciardo, the eight-time race winner, will make way for Lawson at the next round on October 20 in Austin, Texas, ending a career that spanned 257 races. The 35-year-old Australian’s future was uncertain for most of the season and Lawson, 22, will get his chance at the final six rounds.

“Everyone here would like to thank Daniel for his hard work with us over the last two seasons,” said RB team boss Laurent Mekies. “He brought a lot of experience and talent to the team and a fantastic attitude that helped everyone to develop and foster a strong team spirit.”

“Daniel was a true gentleman both on and off the track and always had a smile on his face. We will miss him, but he will always have a special place in the Red Bull family.”

“I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Liam. He already knows the team well. He drove for us last season and did well in difficult circumstances, so it will be a natural transition. It’s great to see young talent from the Red Bull family taking the next step. We look forward to sitting down and focusing on the rest of the season together.”

Ricciardo was given a lifeline by Red Bull after being dropped by McLaren at the end of 2022 following two poor seasons with the British team. He was brought in from the team’s junior team RB midway through last season as a replacement for Nyck de Vries, but broke his wrist in his third appearance. Lawson then deputised for Ricciardo in the next five races.

The Australian returned to the team and finished an impressive fourth in qualifying in Mexico, but has been outdone by teammate Yuki Tsunoda for much of this year and has failed to replicate the form he showed during his time at Red Bull.

Riccardo has only scored 12 points to Tsunoda’s 22. He has also been overtaken by Tsunoda in 12 of the 18 rounds so far. His latest move was to take a bonus point from Lando Norris by setting the fastest lap in Singapore last Sunday, helping Red Bull’s reigning world champion Max Verstappen to clinch the title.