Jenson Button says RB did something he had ‘never seen’ before during Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 exit

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The United States Grand Prix is approaching as Formula 1 enters the final stages of the 2024 campaign.

Austin hosts one of the sport’s most popular events but unfortunately, one of its most popular drivers Daniel Ricciardo won’t be in attendance.

Ricciardo was set to be honoured at the US Grand Prix but that will have to wait until he’s next in the paddock in Texas.

With six races to go, RB decided to replace Ricciardo with Liam Lawson – not for the first time – and give the young Kiwi a chance to prove he deserves a full-time race seat.

Up against Yuki Tsunoda, Lawson knows that matching the more experienced Japanese driver or even beating him could lead to an immediate promotion to the senior Red Bull team.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Visa Cash App RB F1 Team from team principal to Red Bull relationship

Sergio Perez is under pressure and his struggles this season might cost Red Bull the Constructors’ Championship.

Jenson Button was asked on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast about Ricciardo’s most recent exit from F1.

The 35-year-old fought his way back onto the grid after he was let go by McLaren at the end of the 2022 season.

Although his time at RB wasn’t as spectacular as he or Christian Horner would have liked, Button admitted that the way Red Bull sacked him was unlike anything he had seen in F1 before.

Jenson Button confused by Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 exit at RB

Button was asked about Ricciardo’s departure from the sport after the Singapore Grand Prix and said: “It’s a funny one because there’s only one team really that brings in drivers midseason, takes drivers out of the seat midseason or three races in, six races in.

“And that team is Red Bull and Alpha Tauri [RB]. So that’s unusual, and I’ve never seen that in my career unless someone’s been putting in the wall every race and it’s like, you know what, we can’t afford to have you in the car.

“So it’s a weird one. I’ve never felt comfortable with that. I feel that a driver deserves a season to really show what he can do because that’s what it is, right? It’s a championship.

READ MORE: Visa Cash App RB driver Daniel Ricciardo’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

“It’s how many points you can score through that season, not just halfway through.

“But they’ve always done it a different way. And to be fair, they’ve put Daniel in a few races into a season as well. So it’s a tough one.

“And I think for Daniel, I struggle with the results he’s had lately because he’s an exceptional talent.”

Daniel Ricciardo’s camp rejected RB exit option before Singapore Grand Prix

Ricciardo’s departure from F1 seemed to happen much faster than even he was expecting at the Singapore Grand Prix.

At the start of the weekend, he acknowledged that conversations were taking place about his future ahead the race but insisted they related to 2025 and beyond.

However, after a difficult qualifying session, he cut a much more forlorn figure and his last-ditch fastest lap effort during the race appeared to be a parting gesture from the team.

Ricciardo was even given a guard of honour on his return to the paddock which suggests those within RB knew that his time in the sport was coming to an end.

However, Ricciardo’s camp may have known in Baku that he would be leaving during the autumn break.

Lawson may have also found out that his time was coming in Azerbaijan, which means there are still some unanswered questions about why Ricciardo wasn’t given the send-off many would have expected at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.