After spending 13 years in the sport, Ricciardo was let go by his latest Formula One team, Red Bull Racing, in September after the Singapore Grand Prix. The Australian driver has been succeeded by Liam Lawson, who filled in for Ricciardo last season when he fractured his wrist at the Dutch GP. Now, the real reason behind Red Bull’s decision to replace Ricciardo with the 22-year-old has come to light.
Insiders speaking to the F1 website thejudge13 reveal that Red Bull needed to secure a seat for Liam Lawson in the 2025 season by September to prevent him from signing with a rival team. This urgency stems from a secret clause in Lawson’s contract that imposed a strict deadline for Red Bull to confirm his position as a permanent driver. Meanwhile, Sauber, which will rebrand as Audi next season, was reportedly keeping a close eye on the situation, hoping to recruit Lawson, which pressured Red Bull’s decision. Additionally, with concerns regarding Sergio Perez’s performance over the past two seasons and uncertainty surrounding star driver Max Verstappen’s future, Red Bull was eager to secure a driver they view as their potential number one.
The report dispels rumors that Ricciardo was left uninformed about his future with Red Bull prior to the decision to replace him. Sources indicate that Red Bull communicated their decision to Ricciardo during the weekend of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, weeks before his final race in Singapore. Although the 35-year-old knew he would be replaced, he was unsure about the exact timing of the decision. Following the confirmation of his departure, Ricciardo took to Instagram to share, “I’ve loved this sport my whole life. It’s wild and wonderful, and it’s been quite a journey. “Thank you to the teams and individuals who have been part of it, and to the fans who love the sport even more than I do, haha. It will always have its ups and downs, but it’s been fun, and honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. “Looking forward to the next adventure.”
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