P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ex-F1 driver Anthony Davidson believes Daniel Ricciardo’s crash at Zandvoort last season was a “pivotal” moment that contributed to his recent departure.
Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula One career seems to be coming to an end after the recent announcement that Liam Lawson will be taking his place at Red Bull Racing for the remaining six races of the season. Despite making a return to the Red Bull stable last year and earning a chance with sister squad AlphaTauri mid-season, Ricciardo failed to consistently impress and secure a promotion to the main team. A pivotal moment for Ricciardo was his collision during practice at the Dutch Grand Prix in 2022, which led to a five-race absence due to injury. Lawson’s strong performance during his cameo appearances put pressure on Red Bull to secure him a permanent seat, potentially forcing Ricciardo out. Red Bull’s decision to replace Ricciardo with Lawson may have been influenced by the fear of losing Lawson to a rival team, signaling a shift towards investing in younger talent over established drivers like Ricciardo.
