Ricciardo's F1 journey halts as RB confirms exit

Red Bull has officially confirmed Daniel Ricciardo's departure from Formula 1, bringing an end to speculation surrounding the Australian driver's future with the RB team.

The announcement, while expected, marks a significant moment in the sport's recent history.

The End of an Era

Ricciardo's exit from RB, and potentially Formula 1 as a whole, closes a chapter on a career that has seen incredible highs and challenging lows.

The Australian's tenure with Red Bull and its sister team saw him secure seven of his eight career wins, cementing his status as one of the sport's most charismatic and talented drivers.

RB team principal Laurent Mekies paid tribute to Ricciardo's impact, stating,

"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."

Ricciardo's reflections

In an emotional Instagram post, Ricciardo expressed gratitude for his time in the sport, writing,

"I've loved this sport my whole life. It's wild and wonderful and been a journey. To the teams and individuals that have played their part, thank you."

The Australian's words hint at a sense of closure, suggesting that he may be at peace with the possibility that his F1 career has come to an end.

This sentiment was echoed in his post-Singapore Grand Prix comments, where he drew parallels to his departure from McLaren in 2022.

"I think I'm in a much happier place now in the sport than I was then. So if this is it, let's say I have a little bit more peace and I'm proud of the career,"

Ricciardo reflected.

A comeback cut short

Ricciardo's return to the Red Bull fold with RB was viewed as a potential pathway back to the top team.

However, a series of setbacks, including a wrist injury at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, hampered his progress.

Despite flashes of brilliance, such as a fourth-place finish in the Miami sprint and eighth place in Canada, Ricciardo struggled to deliver the consistent results that Red Bull management sought.

Speed vs.consistency

Laurent Mekies shed light on the complexities of Ricciardo's situation, emphasizing that raw speed was never the issue.

"You and a few other people have asked us so many times, can Daniel still make it? And I think the answer on the track was yes, he can still make it,"

Mekies told autosport.

The team principal highlighted specific races where Ricciardo's pace was evident but acknowledged that finding the "sweet spot" consistently proved challenging.

"Did we manage to do that in a constant enough manner? No, we didn't," Mekies admitted.