'%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)
Reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen commented on Daniel Ricciardo's unceremonious split with Red Bull Racing and VCARB. Verstappen defended his friend and former teammate, stating that Ricciardo's final race weekend with the team could have been handled differently.
Heading into the Singapore GP weekend, rumors in the paddock suggested that Ricciardo would be replaced by Liam Lawson. Despite all indications pointing to the Aussie driver's departure from the team, no official statement was released by VCARB or Red Bull Racing. The absence of official confirmation during the race weekend contributed to an unceremonious split, with the news breaking four days later.
During the United States GP, Verstappen said that it was quite clear within the team that the Singapore GP would be Ricciardo's final race. He added that the situation could have been handled better and that the eight-time F1 race winner deserved a nicer exit. He said (via PlanetF1.com):
"I think it was quite clear for me, for Daniel that that was the last race. From my side, I think it could have been handled a bit differently. Also for him, because he knew it, but he can’t say it exactly. It’s a bit of a shame you know. He’s done a lot for F1. He’s won races. He has had incredible races. I think it deserved a nicer exit.”
Ricciardo made his Formula 1 debut with HRT in 2011. He subsequently joined Toro Rosso and eventually earned a promotion to Red Bull Racing. He competed alongside Verstappen from 2016 to 2018 before transitioning to Renault, then McLaren, and finally returning to the junior team in 2023.
Lawson will replace Ricciardo for the remaining six weekends of the 2024 F1 season, having previously played a similar cameo role last season when the Aussie driver was recovering from his wrist injury.
Daniel Ricciardo's fastest lap attempt forces F1 rule change for 2025
In his final race with VCARB, Daniel Ricciardo gave a parting gift to Max Verstappen by snatching the fastest lap from Verstappen's title rival, Lando Norris. Post-race, Ricciardo joked that he guaranteed a Christmas present from Verstappen if he won the title by a single point.
"If Max wins the championship by a point then I have guaranteed myself a nice Christmas present," he told Sky Sports F1 post-race.
Ahead of the United States GP, FIA's World Motor Sport Council announced its decision to scrap the bonus point for the fastest lap, alongside other rule changes. The fastest lap rule was introduced in 2019, and the bonus point was only available to drivers who finished in the top 10 and set the fastest lap time.
With Ricciardo either intentionally or unintentionally helping a driver from the sister team, the bonus point system has been scrapped. The majority of the grid expressed their support for this decision, believing that the bonus point often did not accurately reflect the fastest driver-car combination.
