Red Bull Racing didn’t handle Daniel Ricciardo‘s exit well, says Damon Hill.
Before the Singapore GP, rumors swirled that Liam Lawson would replace Ricciardo. Despite many stories suggesting it was Ricciardo’s last race, Red Bull and Visa Cash App RB stayed silent until an official announcement last Thursday.
After the race, Ricciardo hinted it was his final weekend. Hill thinks Red Bull should have been more transparent since they kept saying Ricciardo would continue with the team.
“It’s hard for any sportsman to deal with,” said Hill on the F1 Nation podcast. “It was more like there was a rumour. It became such a strong rumour that it was almost taken as read that that was the news. And of course, it turned out to be true.”
Hill criticises Red Bull’s announcement strategy:
Hill believes Red Bull could have handled the situation better by acknowledging the rumors and giving fans a chance to say goodbye properly. “It got to the point where you think Red Bull could have said ‘Listen, everyone is talking about it, we know it’s going to happen. This is Daniel’s last race. If you want to say goodbye and well done, then now’s your time’,” he stated.
Fans might feel disappointed by how this unfolded.
Hill also pointed out how odd it was for VCARB to keep saying they counted on Ricciardo while knowing internally he was leaving. “Instead it went out as a bit of a damp squib,” he concluded.
What do you think about how Red Bull handled Ricciardo’s exit?
