Zak Brown sends message to ‘mega’ former McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo after RB exit

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It is looking like Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career is officially over after his departure from Visa Cash App RB.

The Aussie secured the fastest lap and the Driver of the Day award at the Singapore Grand Prix in what many anticipated to be his final race of the season, given how emotional he looked after the race.

Months of speculation suggested that Liam Lawson was set to replace Ricciardo at RB. Sure enough, Red Bull’s junior team have opted to drop the 35-year-old, with Lawson coming in for the remaining six races of the season.

Ricciardo rejected an offer from Red Bull to return as a reserve driver given his age. While many will hope to see him back on the F1 grid, Craig Slater understands Ricciardo’s F1 career to be over.

In 257 race starts, the Aussie won eight races, grabbed three pole positions and 32 podiums as he established himself as a hugely popular figure around the world.

Zak Brown lauds Daniel Ricciardo as ‘one of a kind’ after his Red Bull exit

This was evidenced by the magnitude of people coming to the 35-year-old’s social media to offer messages of support, with Lewis Hamilton labelling Ricciardo as a ‘legend’ after a fantastic career.

Another key figure to send a message to the Aussie was McLaren CEO Zak Brown. The American worked with Ricciardo at the Woking-based squad from 2021 to 2022, where for the most part, the 35-year-old struggled to perform.

But one moment that stands out at his time at McLaren was his victory at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix – McLaren’s first win since 2012 with Jenson Button in Brazil. Brown, who got a tattoo to commemorate the win, spoke of that as a fond memory in a post on X as he reminisced over his time with Ricciardo.

“Daniel, you’re one of a kind. A supremely quick driver and an awesome person to be around,” he wrote.

“Your win in Monza will forever be etched into McLaren’s history. It was one of the best moments of my life, and I have the tattoo to prove it! I know that day meant a lot to you, too.

“Watching you thrash Dale Earnhardt Sr’s 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo around COTA is also one of my favourite memories of our time together! MEGA!

“All the best in your next adventure, and I know you’ll crush whatever it is.”

McLaren are hoping to win the drivers’ championship in 2024 with Lando Norris

Ricciardo was replaced by fellow countryman Oscar Piastri for the 2023 season and since then, McLaren have gone on leaps and bounds in F1.

The Woking-based squad lead the constructors’ championship in 2024 by 41 points over defending champions Red Bull, who have desperately struggled to keep up in recent events.

Max Verstappen has not won a race since Spain and is under huge pressure to defend his crown from Lando Norris, who sits 52 points back after his dominant win in Singapore.

With six races to go, Verstappen can finish second in every race and Sprint race, regardless of the fastest lap bonus point, and still win the title. But with Red Bull’s lack of performance at the moment, there is serious doubt that the Dutchman will be able to achieve that feat.