Daniel Ricciardo rejects Red Bull reserve role after completing emotional last race in Singapore as VCARB pulls the plug on his F1 career.
The decision comes on the heels of what many believe to be an impending exit from his current team, Visa Cash App RB (VCARB), particularly following a disappointing performance at the Singapore Grand Prix, where he finished in 18th place.
Ricciardo’s emotional post-race speech has led fans and analysts alike to speculate about the future of the Australian driver who has been a key figure in the sport for over a decade.
Daniel Ricciardo’s journey in Formula 1 has been nothing short of remarkable after he burst onto the scene with HRT before making a name for himself at Toro Rosso. His tenure with Red Bull Racing from 2014 to 2018 was marked by significant success, including eight Grand Prix victories and numerous podium finishes.
However, after leaving Red Bull for Renault and later McLaren his F1 career took an unprecedented downturn, including a lack of competitive machinery and injuries that hampered his performance.
In 2023, Ricciardo returned to a Red Bull reserve role that many saw as a potential stepping stone back to the main grid. It was not long before he was called up to replace Nyck de Vries at VCARB mid-season last year, marking a comeback to the sport as a full-time driver with his former squad.
While expectations were high, the results have not matched the hype as the 35-year old has only managed to score 12 points this season—10 points fewer than his teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
The dismal performance has led to mounting pressure and questions about whether Ricciardo can still compete at the highest level ultimately leading to VCARB pulling the plug on the seasoned driver with Liam Lawson reported to replace him after the Singapore round.
The Singapore Grand Prix served as a pivotal moment for Ricciardo. After the race, the Aussie was visibly emotional and introspective during interviews as it dawned on him this was probably his last race.
However, during the emotional post race speech Daniel Ricciardo rejects Red Bull reserve role, marking an end to his illustrious F1 career altogether.
He said: “No [I’m not interested in being a Red Bull reserve]. Obviously, last year it made a lot of sense to keep one foot in the door and obviously the big picture was to try and get back at Red Bull.”
He also admitted that he has struggled to keep up with the younger cohort of F1 drivers, with advances in technology – including the rise of driver-in-the-loop simulators – making it harder for drivers of his generation.
“But it’s obviously been evident that it’s been harder for me to show it every weekend,” Ricciardo added. “And maybe that is a little bit of an age thing.
“I think it definitely came easier for me when I was 25 as opposed to 35, but also maybe the competition is just increasing. So maybe it’s just that the level’s increased and it’s probably a tall task for me to fight at that level week in, week out.
“I can’t be disappointed with that. I’m happy that, once upon a time, I could do it and that was a lot of fun.
“And if this is it, I want to make sure I walk away or leave the sport with good memories of it and it doesn’t get into that place where it’s just a grind and I’m out in Q1 every weekend. That’s obviously not fun.”
Moreover, Ricciardo’s decision reflects broader trends within Formula 1 as teams shift their focus toward nurturing young talent.
With Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko hinting at promoting Liam Lawson—currently serving as the reserve driver—to a full-time seat and considering Isack Hadjar from Formula 2, it is evident that the team is looking to build its future around fresh faces rather than seasoned veterans.
As Ricciardo contemplates what lies ahead, he remains committed to leaving on good terms with F1 rather than dragging out an unfulfilling stint on the grid. “If this is it,” he said, “I want to make sure I walk away or leave the sport with good memories.”
Looking forward, there are several potential avenues for Ricciardo if he chooses to step away from racing full-time. He could explore opportunities in media or punditry, leveraging his charisma and knowledge of the sport to engage fans in new ways.
Alternatively, he might consider roles within team management or driver development programs, where his experience could help shape the next generation of talent.
