F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo fired by Red Bull, leaving fans outraged

Racing fans expressed disappointment that Daniel Ricciardo was dropped so unceremoniously.

Formula One racer Daniel Ricciardo was released by Red Bull Racing on Thursday, and it was announced that Liam Lawson will immediately slip into the driver’s seat, replacing him on the team.

It was pretty apparent that the 35-year-old’s days with the circuit were nearing their end — at the Singapore Grand Prix last weekend, he was called into the pits by his RB team ahead of the final lap, giving the Australian an opportunity to set the fastest lap of the race.

At the race’s conclusion, he sat in his car for an unusual amount of time before walking through a gauntlet of supporters who lined up to applaud him. His post-race interviews were emotional, acknowledging he may have concluded his final race.

Red Bull, owner of the RB team, made the news official Thursday, announcing the 22-year-old Lawson will step in for Ricciardo for the U.S. Grand Prix and onward.

Lawson joined the Red Bull driver program five years ago and raced five times last year, covering for Ricciardo after he broke his hand during a practice.

“I’ve loved this sport my whole life. It’s wild and wonderful and been a journey,” Ricciardo wrote in a farewell post on Instagram. “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.”