How Red Bull tainted Daniel Ricciardo’s legacy by not giving him a proper farewell

Red Bull's treatment of Daniel Ricciardo has drawn criticism after his emotional exit from Formula 1

Daniel Ricciardo’s legacy in Formula 1 has been a subject of contention following his abrupt departure from the sport after the Singapore Grand Prix. Despite a stellar career that saw him become one of the most exciting drivers on the grid, his time at Red Bull ended on a sour note. Many fans and pundits feel Red Bull "did him dirty" by not offering Ricciardo the chance for a proper farewell

Ricciardo, who achieved seven of his eight career wins with Red Bull, returned to the team in 2023 as part of their junior team. The goal was clear: to work his way back to the senior team. However, injuries and inconsistent performances led to his replacement by Liam Lawson, a decision that many viewed as mishandled. F1 photographer Kym Illman described the scene after Ricciardo's final race as deeply emotional, with the driver staying in the paddock longer than any other driver, reluctant to leave

The absence of a clear communication from Red Bull regarding Ricciardo's future added to the emotional strain, with Christian Horner hinting at a "bigger picture" but offering no definitive explanation. While Ricciardo has no regrets about leaving Red Bull initially, many now wonder if staying could have led to a different ending to his career​