Red Bull has announced that Liam Lawson has replaced Daniel Ricciardo following the end of his career.
Lawson has been Red Bull’s reserve since 2022 and filled in for 35-year-old Ricciardo at five races last year when the eight-times Grand Prix winner was injured.
The move was widely expected following speculation that the Australian’s Formula One career had reached the end of the road.
Ricciardo made a mid-season comeback with the team last year hoping to show he still had what it takes, with the prospect of possibly replacing Sergio Perez at the main Red Bull team, but has instead been outperformed at RB by Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda.
Red Bull announced the decision in a statement on Friday.
“Daniel has been a true gentleman both on and off the track and never without that smile. He will be missed, but will always hold a special place within the Red Bull family.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome Liam. He already knows the team well. He drove for us last season and coped well under difficult circumstances, so it’ll be a natural transition”, the statement read.
Italy-based RB had initially posted a ‘thank you’ message on social media.
Ricciardo took to social media to appreciate Red Bull and all his teammates.
He said: “I’ve loved this sport my whole life. It’s wild and wonderful and has been a journey.
“To the teams and individuals that have played their part, thank you. To the fans who love the sport sometimes more than me, haha, thank you. It’ll always have its highs and lows, but it’s being fun, and truth be told, I wouldn’t change it.
He finished third in the championship in 2014 and 2016, the latter time as teammate to now-triple world champion Max Verstappen. Singapore was his 258th race in a career with 32 podiums and 1,329 points.
Formula One: Lawson Replaces Ricciardo At Red Bull is first published on The Whistler Newspaper