Daniel Ricciardo's departure from Red Bull's sister team RB has been confirmed. The announcement came on Thursday, with RB stating that Ricciardo would be leaving the team with immediate effect. The 35-year-old Australian will not be participating in the remaining six Formula One events of the season.

Ricciardo's replacement has been announced as 22-year-old Liam Lawson. The New Zealander has been a reserve driver for RB since 2022 and will make his full-time debut on October 20th at the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

Ricciardo hinted at the possibility of his retirement in an Instagram post on Thursday. He expressed his gratitude to the teams, individuals, and fans who have been a part of his journey. He also acknowledged the highs and lows of his career but stated that he wouldn't change anything.

Ricciardo joined RB in July 2023 with the hope of moving to Red Bull to partner with Max Verstappen. However, he struggled on the track this season, accumulating only 12 points and placing 14th in the standings. Verstappen, in comparison, leads the standings with 331 points.

RB's decision to replace Ricciardo was reportedly influenced by his results and the potential loss of Lawson. According to reports, Lawson had a clause in his contract that allowed him to become a free agent if he wasn't given a seat for the next season.

Ricciardo finished 18th at the Singapore Grand Prix last week. Lawson, who filled in for an injured Ricciardo in 2023, made his Grand Prix debut in Zandvoort and participated in five races. He finished ninth in Singapore.