[CMW33]

Originally Posted by G30M

they will then try to sign Colapinto.

The thought crossed my mind. Williams may be asking themselves if Sainz-Colapinto might be a better lineup...

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by FC4

Calling someone a fan because of DTS is the laziest dig one can make in an F1 convo. It's like the "10 sec penalty for Ocon" rubbish.

Sure, they don't owe him anything, and I don't disagree with any of the points above really. He was a back-marker for the last few years and his story would have had a better ending if he hung it up a while ago.

But it would not have hurt RB to announce his departure prior to the race so he could at least have a parade lap and do some donuts.

Precisely this. I’m not some massive Danny Ric fan, far from it, he should go.

[Killed by Death]

Surprised no teammates went to check on him...Just affording him a minute a to reflect I guess.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Surprised no teammates went to check on him...Just affording him a minute a to reflect I guess.

Yep. Sometimes a man just needs to be left with his thoughts.

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by FC4

What a legend. With his accomplishments and character, he left an immensely positive mark on F1 over the last 14 years.

Shame on Red Bull for the joke of a sendoff. What a trash organization at every level.

I wish they'd given him a better send off but, look what RB did for him. The gave him an entry into F1...he then signed elsewhere because he was afraid to live in Max's overwhelming shadow (he'd probably do that differently now if given the chance), and then when Mclaren dropped him, RB gave him not only a reserve seat but then put him back into an F1 car with a 2024 salary that put him in the top 10 highest paid drivers. I think RB did more for him than he did for them.

[G MONEY]

No one was done dirty. The teams get rid of drivers like old trash all the time. Dude made Huge bucks and lives a dream life. He will be just fine. He will be an announcer or something easy peasy with a big salary. Luck Bastard😜🤣

[3798j]

The reason Ricciardo "signed elsewhere" was a boatload of money. Renault in 2019 made him the second highest paid F1 driver (second to Hamilton). Who wouldn't take the ride?

[dfox]

Originally Posted by FC4

Calling someone a fan because of DTS is the laziest dig one can make in an F1 convo. It's like the "10 sec penalty for Ocon" rubbish.

Sure, they don't owe him anything, and I don't disagree with any of the points above really. He was a back-marker for the last few years and his story would have had a better ending if he hung it up a while ago.

But it would not have hurt RB to announce his departure prior to the race so he could at least have a parade lap and do some donuts.

RB didn't do anything wrong to Ric. He got a great sendoff. Got fastest lap, had his whole team cheering him on back in the paddock, etc. Sure he got a nice check too.

He wouldn't have been able to do a parade lap and donuts, you think the FIA would have allowed that? Definitely not. That's not up to RB.

Honestly, the only people doing Ricciardo wrong were all the media talking heads. All the constant articles about him being sacked, etc. just got all the fans worked up. They do the same thing to Checo as well. It's awful, honestly.

The media is one part of this sport that I can't effing stand.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by 3798j

The reason Ricciardo "signed elsewhere" was a boatload of money. Renault in 2019 made him the second highest paid F1 driver (second to Hamilton). Who wouldn't take the ride?

Renault offered him the money because they genuinely believed that they could give RIC a competitive car to compete for wins and be the lead driver. Unfortunately, Renault could not fulfill their promise.

This wasn't a team just throwing money at a driver and hoping to that they could get a couple of P10 finishes for some points - there was a belief they could really be competitive but we know what ultimately happened.

[Davil]

Nice.

[GuidoK]

A driver swap mid season is never nice. But don't forget, RIC was here because no one wanted him after his contract wasn't continued at McLaren and they chose for PIA.

Only RB gave him another chance. First as reserve driver and then as replacement for Nyck de Vries. So he got an extra year of F1 racing because of RB.

I'm sad to see him go as he is one of the most likeable drivers on the grid, but F1 is about raw performance and not about nice guys. It's the pinnacle of motorsports, and by swapping less performing drivers for new talent we get better races.
He knew that his place at VCARB is a testing ground for potential teammates/replacements for Max, so he was there to directly compete with Yuki and Checo. Of course Yuki is going nowhere as he is there because of Honda, and Checo apparently has a better marketing potential (although I expect him to be replaced soon too, but that may be just me hoping...)