‘A special talent’ Jenson Button defends Daniel Ricciardo after his controversial F1 exit

Former F1 champion Jenson Button has spoken out about Daniel Ricciardo’s sudden departure from F1 following the Singapore GP. The Briton explained that he found it strange that Ricciardo was leaving the sport and praised the ‘Honey Badger’ for his achievements.

Rumours had been circulating about Ricciardo leaving the Red Bull camp ahead of the 2024 F1 season. These rumours came to a head during the Singapore GP and have now come to fruition. In the paddock after the race, the VCARB driver hugged several members of the team and other drivers, in what appeared to be a farewell moment for the popular Australian. The Austrian team later announced his departure a few days after the Marina Bay race.

Ricciardo’s departure marks another mid-season driver change for Red Bull. The team is known for its strict evaluation system and high performance demands from its drivers.

Talking about Ricciardo’s departure on the “Sky Sports F1” podcast, Button said it was a “tough thing”. He recalled Ricciardo’s strong performances against his highly successful Red Bull teammates. Button said,

“It’s a tough question and I think for Daniel… I’m struggling with the results he’s had recently, because he’s a special talent, he really is. To jump into Red Bull when he did and go up against Sebastian Vettel, go up against Max, and be as competitive as he is, it’s unbelievable.”