What people close to Daniel Ricciardo ‘joked’ about ahead of his RB exit this season

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Daniel Ricciardo likely contested his final race with Red Bull after the Singapore Grand Prix, after being replaced by Liam Lawson for the final six races of 2024.

The Australian was one of the most popular drivers on the Formula 1 grid among fans, but a series of poor results led to Visa CashApp RB deciding to make a swift change to improve their chances of retaining sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.

Lawson is also set to audition for the seat at Red Bull, with Sergio Perez’s future uncertain at the team after he has now breached the terms of his current contract by not staying within 100 points of Max Verstappen.

Daniel Ricciardo’s future has also been uncertain at RB but the news that he would be replaced after Singapore came as a surprise to everyone, not least because of how it was handled in the media.

Damon Hill criticised Red Bull’s handling of the matter, while journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm revealed that those close to the Australian knew it was going to happen when speaking on The Race podcast.

Daniel Ricciardo’s ‘close’ friends knew of sacking months beforehand

Red Bull unceremoniously dropped Ricciardo in the days after the Singapore GP after rumours in the paddock after the race became more prominent.

While it came as a shock to fans and media alike due to the timing, after Ricciardo looked like a replacement for Perez at one stage, his friends knew it was coming.

“I know someone close to Ricciardo when this all came out and they joked that they had been sacked since April, so it wasn’t exactly a surprise to them,” said Mitchell-Malm.

“There was so many rumours and all of them generated by Marko when Ricciardo would be dropped and be replaced by Lawson.”

Liam Lawson must ‘follow example’ of 334-point driver to earn Red Bull spot

Lawson has proven that he can step up and deliver in F1 having done the same to replace Ricciardo when he got injured last year, but the Kiwi is now vying for a seat in the main team.

Lawson been told the best way to earn a promotion within Red Bull is to follow the example of Max Verstappen, who also made his way through Red Bull’s junior team.

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

Guenther Steiner believes he is similar to Oscar Piastri, in that he can embed himself within a team having done a lot of simulation work.

Lawson will take a 10-place grid penalty on his return to RB in Austin due to taking new power unit components, which he inherits from Ricciardo.