Formula 1 fans were surprised when Red Bull Racing announced their decision to release Daniel Ricciardo, a beloved driver among fans and one of the most popular personalities on the F1 grid. The 35-year-old driver had a bittersweet final race at the Singapore Grand Prix, where his team called him into the pits before the last lap to allow him to set the fastest lap of the race, ultimately denying a crucial point to title contender Lando Norris and indirectly assisting Max Verstappen’s championship bid.

After achieving the fastest lap, Ricciardo took a moment to cherish his final moments on the track by sitting in his car for an extended period post-race. As he made his way back to the paddock, he was met with an honor guard of supporters lining up to applaud him, recognizing his contributions to the sport. Despite his hopes of proving himself for a return to the main Red Bull team during his time at Red Bull Racing, Ricciardo admitted that he did not achieve the “fairytale ending” he had envisioned.

Throughout his career spanning 14 seasons, Ricciardo clinched eight race victories, with his last win occurring at Monza in 2021 while driving for McLaren. Following the end of the 2022 season, Ricciardo parted ways with McLaren after being bought out of his contract, leading him to be appointed as a team ambassador for Red Bull upon his return.

This marked the end of an era for Ricciardo, who expressed gratitude for his time in Formula 1 and the support he received from fans and the racing community. Despite the unexpected turn of events in his career, Ricciardo remained optimistic about the future and his new role within the Red Bull team, where he will continue to contribute to the sport he holds dear.