Daniel Ricciardo pens emotional F1 farewell message after brutal Red Bull axe

Daniel Ricciardo has penned an emotional message to his fans after being let go by Red Bull.

The Australian has lost his seat at the team's junior RB squad, with Liam Lawson replacing him for the final six races of the season. Ricciardo returned to the F1 grid midway through last season to replace Nyck de Vries.

But he has struggled to hit the form expected of him in that time, finishing as the final car running in Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix. He currently sits 14th in the World Championship standings, with Red Bull now opting to move him on.

It brings an end to a 14-year career for Ricciardo, with the 34-year-old highly unlikely to have a seat on the grid next season. With his time in F1 all but over, the Australian has taken to social media to pay tribute to his fans.

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"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," Ricciardo wrote in an Instagram post of himself in his racing overalls with his back to the camera.

"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 brings his career to a close having won eight races, claimed 32 podiums and scored 1329 points across 258 Grands Prix. During that time, he drove for HRT, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Renault, McLaren and RB.

As he announced his decision to ditch Ricciardo, RB Team Principal, Laurent Mekies thanked the driver for his efforts. He also hailed Ricciardo's high spirits in the face of what has been a tough season.

“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," Mekies said.

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"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."

Lawson had an impressive five-race cameo with RB last season and has spent this year as Red Bull's reserve driver. Ricciardo's fellow drivers added their own tributes to him.

Alpha Tauri star Pierre Gasly said: "Congrats for what you achieved champ!" Mercedes' George Russell added: "Going to miss you mate." And former Red Bull star David Coulthard said: "You’ve left an impressive legacy behind you in the sport & always made the paddock a smilier place."