Red Bull confirm Lawson to replace Ricciardo at VCARB immediately

Lawson, 22, has been Red Bull reserve since 2022 and filled in for 35-year-old Ricciardo at five races last year when the eight-times Grand Prix winner was injured. The move was widely expected following mounting speculation that the Australian's F1 career had reached the end of the road.

Ricciardo made a mid-season comeback with the team last year hoping to show he still had what it takes, with the prospect of possibly replacing Sergio Perez at the main Red Bull team, but has instead been outperformed at RB by Japan's Yuki Tsunoda.

"Daniel has been a true gentleman both on and off the track and never without that smile. He will be missed, but will always hold a special place within the Red Bull family," said team boss Laurent Mekies in a statement.

"I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome Liam Lawson. He already knows the team well. He drove for us last season, and coped well under difficult circumstances, so it’ll be a natural transition," added Mekies.

Italy-based VCARB (formerly ToroRosso) had initially posted a 'thank you' message on social media on Thursday. After his final GP for VCARB on Sunday, Ricciardo was given a drivers' honour guard in the paddock and spent more time than usual chatting to journalists for a final time in the F1 TV interview pen. At least for the foreseeable future.

Separately on Instagram, Ricciardo wrote: "I’ve loved this sport my whole life. It’s wild and wonderful and been a journey. To the teams and individuals that have played their part, thank you.

"To the fans who love the sport sometimes more than me haha thank you. It’ll always have its highs and lows but it’s been fun and truth be told I wouldn’t change it. Until the next adventure."

Ricciardo's departure was taken as written at last weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, with the Australian finishing last but pitting for a third time at the end of the race to put on fresh tyres and set the fastest lap.

Mekies explained afterwards that the team had given him the chance "given this may have been Daniel's last race".

Ricciardo, an ever-smiling fan favourite whose departure will be mourned by many, took seven of his victories with Red Bull and the final one during an ill-fated stint with McLaren in 2021.

Visa Cash App RB can today confirm that Liam Lawson will be driving for the Team for the remainder of the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship season, racing alongside Yuki Tsunoda in the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.

Liam has been a Red Bull reserve driver since 2022, making his Grand Prix debut in Zandvoort last year during Daniel’s recovery period. His impressive five-race drive saw him score points for the Team, finishing ninth in the Singapore GP.

Visa Cash App RB Team Principal, Laurent Mekies said: “Everyone here at VCARB would like to thank Daniel for his hard work across the last two seasons with us. He has brought a lot of experience and talent to the Team with a fantastic attitude, which has helped everyone to develop and foster a tight team spirit. Daniel has been a true gentleman both on and off the track and never without that smile. He will be missed, but will always hold a special place within the Red Bull family.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome Liam. He already knows the Team well. He drove for us last season, and coped well under difficult circumstances, so it’ll be a natural transition. It’s great to see young talent from within the Red Bull family make the next step. We’re looking forward to getting our heads down and focusing on the rest of the season together.”