Ricciardo backed to forge 'new career' after F1 axe

Jenson Button has backed Daniel Ricciardo to forge a new career after his F1 journey was all but ended with his axe from RB.

Ricciardo was jettisoned by RB after Singapore, to be replaced by Liam Lawson for the final six rounds of the season after failing to out-perform Yuki Tsunoda.

With the only other seat on the 2025 grid being that at Stake and which RacingNews365 understands will be retained by Valtteri Bottas, there is no vacancy on the grid for eight-time grand prix winner Ricciardo. 

The Australian had received an offer from United States Grand Prix boss Bobby Epstein to serve as an ambassador for this weekend's Austin race, but Ricciardo is enjoying downtime as he takes stock of his options.

But 2009 world champion Button feels the popular Perth-native will be able to turn his hand to whatever new career he decides.

"I think for Daniel, I struggle with the results he’s had lately because he’s an exceptional talent, he really is," Button explained on the Sky Sports F1 podcast. 

"To jump in the Red Bull when he did [in 2014] and go up against Sebastian Vettel, to go up against Max [Verstappen] and be as competitive as he was, it was unbelievable. It really was.

"We saw glimpses of it at Renault as well, he took some time to find his feet, but then he was extremely quick against [Nico Hulkenberg], who we all rate very highly.

"It just didn’t materialise at McLaren and AlphaTauri, which is such a shame. And why is that? I don’t know.

"It’s not his age. He’s not old. Look at Fernando Alonso, and what he can do. So the only person that knows is probably Daniel, and I feel for him because to be on such a high for a lot of your career, and then it fall away for the last few years, it’s tough.

"But I think, from what I’ve heard, he’s made peace with it, and he’s got his whole life in front of him.

"I know there’s so much to do out there after Formula 1, and fun things for him to do that he wasn’t able to do while he was in F1, but it always hurts a bit when it’s not your decision to leave.

"He’ll feel that pain for a little while – but then he’ll get over it and he’ll be all good.

"He’s such a personality. He’s got such a career in front of him, whether it’s in racing or TV, stand-up, whatever it is, Daniel will find the route that works for him."

What will Daniel Ricciardo do next after his F1 axing from RB? Let us know by voting in the poll below and in the comments!