The dismissal of Daniel Ricciardo has sparked a wave of criticism towards Visa RB and its ‘big brother’ Red Bull. Not because fans lack understanding for this decision, but due to the lack of a ‘worthy farewell’. In Singapore, his supporters had to assume that he had driven his last race, without any formal acknowledgment of the end of a brilliant career. Helmut Marko explains why Ricciardo had to settle for the fastest lap time.
“Why didn’t they announce this before the weekend in Singapore?” a disappointed fan wrote on social media. “I don’t understand, Ricciardo deserved a much better farewell,” another responded. “He deserves much better; it’s heartbreaking that it has to end this way.” The consensus among Formula 1 fans is clear: “Red Bull has completely missed the mark.”
Confusion Surrounding Daniel Ricciardo’s Departure
Former racer and Formula 1 commentator Martin Brundle was just as ‘confused’ after the race in Singapore. He didn’t understand the ‘half-hearted’ farewell of Daniel Ricciardo. After thirteen years in Formula 1, one of the most popular drivers on the grid deserved a more beautiful swan song, didn’t he? The Australian had to console himself with the fastest race lap, which he snatched at the last minute from McLaren.
‘Various Factors’
“The timing of the news about Ricciardo had to do with various factors and obligations,” explained Helmut Marko in a conversation with Motorsport-Total.com. “He was informed in time and his dignified farewell was the fastest race lap. With this, he was able to show that he still has potential, even though he is no longer at the level of Red Bull. He himself has indicated that he is at peace with it. He has accepted the situation, and we will see what his plans for the future are.”
“Since he left us for Renault, Ricciardo has lost his winning instinct,” Marko continued. “I also don’t really know what happened there. But we now simply have to be able to make a comparison. The question is where Liam Lawson stands compared to Yuki (Tsunoda, ed.).” According to the 81-year-old Austrian, Red Bull wants to further focus on the young talents it has in its ranks.
