Daniel Ricciardo: Visa Cash App RB team boss Laurent Mekis admits Aussie star’s exit was ‘not ideal’
Australia’s Formula 1 star Daniel Ricciardo continues to feel the love from the sporting world after his unceremonious sacking from the Red Bull Team after this year’s Singapore Grand Prix.
Ricciardo, who is currently weighing up his future and does not have a drive in the F1 next season, would feel some solace in the fact his former team principal at the Visa Cash App RB team, Laurent Mekis, has delivered an apology of sorts for the handling of his departure.
When quizzed at last weekend’s US Grand Prix, Mekies said the handling of Daniel Ricciardo’s exit was “not ideal” and “frustrating”.
The worst-kept secret in motorsports was confirmed with Riccardo’s exit from Red Bull four days after the Singapore GP, however, Red Bull Racing did not deliver a statement or official confirmation of his departure.
Kiwi young gun Liam Lawson took Ricciardo’s place at the United States GP on Monday morning (AEDT) and finished in sixth position, with the 22-year-old now having an even stronger chance to stay in that seat next year.
Camera IconLaurent Mekies, Team Principal of Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, with Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement Liam Lawson. Credit: AAP
Mekies answered questions from the media ahead of the race and made a stack admission about the handling of Ricciardo’s exit from the second-tier team.
“It was frustrating, and yes, you’re right, it was not ideal to go through the weekend in that way,” Mekies said.
“First of all for him, on a professional and a personal matter, and for the whole team around him.
“Yes, Daniel was aware (it would be his last race in Singapore). We did have discussions before the weekend. For many different reasons, we chose together to go into that weekend without announcing. And from that point onwards, we had to deal with it.
“It’s a decision that, in hindsight, we may or may not do differently.”
Camera IconHaving a good time is my day job. Credit: Instagram.
Recently, former motocross rider Adam Cianciarulo uploaded a photo to Instagram of him and a very relaxed-looking Ricciardo, with the latter wearing a hat that reads: “I’m retired. Having a good time is my job”.
Red Bull Team boss Christian Horner has been glowing in his appraisal of Ricciardo’s future if he is indeed permanently retired from F1 as a driver.
“Daniel is just a brilliant character, a brilliant human being,” Horner said.
“He lights up a room when he walks into it, he’s got that infectious smile. I hope he stays around the sport.
“We’ve made it very clear that we want him to remain in an ambassadorial capacity with the team. Of course, one never really knows. If Liam doesn’t get the job done, if Checo (Sergio Perez) doesn’t get the job done … We know what Daniel’s capability is.”
Ricciardo has been linked with moves to NASCAR and even Australia’s Supercars category.
Supercars boss Shane Howard said ahead of the Bathurst 1000: “I think everyone would welcome Daniel with open arms.
“Would we like to see Daniel Ricciardo in a Supercar? One hundred per cent.
“Just imagine if he could be in one of our cars and race in a new street race in Perth, that would be something special, wouldn’t it?
“It would be massive. He is such an incredible driver and such an incredible personality and people just absolutely love him.
“Imagine him racing at Bathurst, wow. That would be very cool indeed.”
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