Ricciardo’s Replacement Overlooked as McLaren’s Piastri Secures Stunning Recognition
Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career appears to have reached its end after being replaced twice in recent years. Following his exit from McLaren in 2023 to make way for Oscar Piastri, Ricciardo was dropped again in 2024 after the Singapore Grand Prix. This time, Liam Lawson stepped in for the Australian at VCARB before earning a promotion to Red Bull’s main team. The shift highlights F1 teams’ increasing focus on nurturing young talent.
Several young drivers shone in 2024, including those without full-time seats, such as Lawson, Franco Colapinto, and Ollie Bearman. With fan polls and awards recognizing the season’s standout performers, McLaren’s Piastri emerged as a clear favorite. After a remarkable year where he claimed his first two career wins at the Hungarian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix, Piastri dominated GPFans’ poll for the best young driver with 64% of the vote.
Piastri’s stellar performances also played a crucial role in McLaren securing their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998, narrowly defeating Ferrari in the standings. This marked a historic achievement for McLaren, who hadn’t claimed the title in 26 years. Piastri’s success underscores McLaren’s strategic focus on blending young talent with team excellence.
On the other hand, Lawson, who replaced Ricciardo at VCARB mid-season, failed to impress fans, securing just 2% of the vote in the poll. Despite his promotion to Red Bull, his performances have yet to win over a significant portion of the fanbase.
Meanwhile, Williams’ rising star Franco Colapinto and Yuki Tsunoda, Lawson’s teammate at VCARB, each received 9% of the vote. The second-highest spot in the poll, however, went to Ollie Bearman, who garnered 16% of the votes. The teenage British driver stood in as a substitute at three Grands Prix in 2024: for Ferrari at Saudi Arabia and for Haas at Azerbaijan and Brazil. His impressive performances earned him a full-time seat with Haas for the 2025 season.
While Ricciardo’s F1 journey may be over, the emergence of these young drivers promises an exciting future for the sport. Fans can look forward to the 2025 season with anticipation as the next generation of talent takes center stage.
