Hamilton and Horner's Touching Messages After Ricciardo Announces VCARB Exit

Friday, 27 September 2024 at 14:00

Lewis Hamilton and Christian Horner posted heartfelt messages for Daniel Ricciardo after VCARB / RB officially announced his departure from the F1 team.

Although Red Bull and VCARB couldn't announce it during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, it is now official: it was Daniel Ricciardo's last Grand Prix race in Formula 1.

The scenes after the Grand Prix in Singapore were quite bizarre. Ricciardo was basically hugging and saying goodbye to everyone while it still wasn't 100% clear whether he would continue with the team.

However, on Thursday, September 26th (four days later), it was announced that the Honey Badger would be leaving his Formula 1 team immediately and would be replaced by Liam Lawson.

On the same day, Daniel Ricciardo shared a post on his Instagram profile in which he thanked everyone, teams, individuals, and fans. While he didn't announce what's next, he seems to have closed the chapter in F1.

The 35-year-old Australian F1 driver was one of the most beloved drivers in the paddock, and the reactions (from other F1 drivers, teams, and fans) he received in comments under his post only prove it.

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Lewis Hamilton and Christian Horner even posted separate thank you posts on their own profiles dedicated to Ricciardo. The seven-time World Champion wrote:

"it’s been a honour to compete with you over the years. I’ll never forget the battles, the laughs, and drinking out of your shoe 🤢 It was gross, but glad I got to do it with you bud."

"You leave a legacy of always being yourself, which in this sport is never easy. You’ve taken it all with the biggest smile and I salute you for it."

"There is so much more for you up ahead and I can’t wait to see what you do next. Always here for you, man."

Hamilton and Ricciardo used to compete against each other during the Australian's time in Red Bull Racing. In that same period, the Australian worked with the F1 team principal Christian Horner, who will never forget the impact Ricciardo had, his incredible drives, and his infectious personality. He wrote:

"From the moment you arrived at Red Bull it was obvious you were so much more than just a driver. Your constant enthusiasm, sense of humour and attitude will leave an indelible legacy on the Team here in Milton Keynes and F1 as a whole."

"Thank you for the wins, smiles, songs (and I wish I could say the shoeys), you will always be a special part of the Red Bull Family.8 wins, 32 podiums, 1329 points."