Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle has voiced his disappointment with Red Bull and its sister team Visa Cash App RB over what he described as a “rather half-hearted and confusing” farewell to Daniel Ricciardo at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Many believe the race marked the Australian’s final appearance in Formula 1, as speculation mounts that he will be replaced by reserve driver Liam Lawson for the remainder of the season.
Ricciardo, who was visibly emotional at the end of the race in Marina Bay, was greeted with a guard of honor upon returning to the VCARB hospitality area. Yet, Brundle felt that the farewell did not reflect the significant impact Ricciardo has had on the sport over the past decade.
“It was Daniel’s last race in F1 for a while and perhaps forever,” Brundle wrote in his post-race Sky F1 column. “It was a rather half-hearted and confusing exit from the team perspective.
“The fans rewarded him with ‘Driver of the Day’ as a farewell present, and that leaves him with a tally of 257 starts, eight wins, three poles, and 32 podiums. And an awful lot of smiles and happy fans.”
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Ricciardo’s storied career – particularly his stint with Red Bull from 2014 to 2018 – has seen him become one of the most beloved figures in the paddock.
However, his return to F1 with AlphaTauri/RB last year, following an underwhelming period with McLaren and a six month break from the sport, has not yielded the desired results, with just four top-ten finishes in 26 starts.
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Brundle suggests that a strong display by Lawson in the final six races of the season – should he replace Ricciardo – might make the Kiwi a viable contender for Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull Racing.
“Liam Lawson will take over [Ricciardo’s] VCARB from Austin, and it’s his chance to prove he should be on the 2025 grid in either of the two Red Bull teams,” Brundle noted.
As for what lies on the horizon for Ricciardo, only time will tell, but it’s doubtful the 35-year-old will choose to ride off into the sunset never to be seen again at a racing track.
One certainty is that the Aussie has no interest in remaining within the Red Bull family as a resrve driver.
“Obviously, last year [a reserve role] 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 said last weekend.
“I think if I was to do that again, there’s not really [much point]. I’m not going to restart my career.”
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