'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Former F1 champion Jenson Button recently spoke about Daniel Ricciardo's controversial and sudden exit from F1 after the Singapore GP. The Brit explained how he felt weird as Ricciardo left the sport and praised the "Honey Badger" for his achievements.
There had been rumors flying around regarding Ricciardo's exit from the Red Bull camp as the 2024 F1 season went on. These rumors reached their zenith during the Singapore GP and ultimately turned out to be true. In the paddock after the race, the VCARB driver hugged several of his team members and other drivers, in what looked like a farewell moment for the popular Aussie. The Austrian team then announced his departure from the team a few days after the Marina Bay race.
Ricciardo's exit marked yet another mid-season driver swap from the Red Bull garage. The team is known for its rigorous assessment system and demand for high-level performances from its drivers.
Speaking about Ricciardo's exit on the "Sky Sports F1" podcast, Button said it was a "tough one." He recalled Ricciardo's strong performances against very successful Red Bull teammates. Button said,
"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, he really is. To jump in the Red Bull when he did and go up against Sebastian Vettel, to go up against Max, and be as competitive as he was, it was unbelievable" (24:31).
Jenson Button gives his take on Red Bull's mid-season driver shuffles following Daniel Ricciardo's exit
In light of Daniel Ricciardo's departure from VACRB midseason, former F1 driver Jenson Button talked about Red Bull's driver shuffles.
Ricciardo is the second driver in two years to be replaced mid-season by Red Bull, the first being Nyck de Vries, who was replaced by Ricciardo himself in 2023.
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, Button opined the Austrian team is the only one that's willing to sack drivers midseason and bring in another. He added he does not feel "comfortable" with the defending world champion's methods. Button said,
"It's a funny one because there's only one team really that brings in drivers mid-season takes drivers out that see mid-season or three races in six races in and that team is Red Bull" (23:35).
"It's a weird one. I've never felt comfortable with that, you know, always 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 and it's how many points you can score through that season, not just halfway."
As of now, Daniel Ricciardo has not revealed his plans after he was removed from RB. He has been replaced by Red Bull's previously reserve driver, Liam Lawson, for the rest of the 2024 F1 season.
