Daniel Ricciardo: Visa Cash App RB team boss Laurent Mekis admits Aussie starās exit was ānot idealā
Australiaās 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 yearās 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 weekendās US Grand Prix, Mekies said the handling of Daniel Ricciardoās exit was ānot idealā and āfrustratingā.
The worst-kept secret in motorsports was confirmed with Riccardoās 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 Ricciardoās 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 Ricciardoās replacement Liam Lawson. Credit: AAP
Mekies answered questions from the media ahead of the race and made a stack admission about the handling of Ricciardoās exit from the second-tier team.
āIt was frustrating, and yes, youāre right, it was not ideal to go through the weekend in that way,ā Mekies said.
āFirst of all for him, on a professional and a personal matter, and for the whole team around him.
āYes, 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.
āItās a decision that, in hindsight, we may or may not do differently.ā
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: āIām retired. Having a good time is my jobā.
Red Bull Team boss Christian Horner has been glowing in his appraisal of Ricciardoās future if he is indeed permanently retired from F1 as a driver.
āDaniel is just a brilliant character, a brilliant human being,ā Horner said.
āHe lights up a room when he walks into it, heās got that infectious smile. I hope he stays around the sport.
āWeāve 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 doesnāt get the job done, if Checo (Sergio Perez) doesnāt get the job done ā¦ We know what Danielās capability is.ā
Ricciardo has been linked with moves to NASCAR and even Australiaās Supercars category.
Supercars boss Shane Howard said ahead of the Bathurst 1000: āI think everyone would welcome Daniel with open arms.
āWould we like to see Daniel Ricciardo in a Supercar? One hundred per cent.
āJust imagine if he could be in one of our cars and race in a new street race in Perth, that would be something special, wouldnāt it?
āIt would be massive. He is such an incredible driver and such an incredible personality and people just absolutely love him.
āImagine him racing at Bathurst, wow. That would be very cool indeed.ā
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