Jenson Button expressed his discomfort with Red Bull’s frequent practice of swapping drivers mid-season, something he feels is uncommon and unsettling. This was in light of Daniel Ricciardo being replaced by Red Bull’s reserve driver, Liam Lawson, for the remaining six races of the 2024 season.
Button believes a driver deserves a full season to prove themselves, rather than being removed halfway through the year. He noted that this kind of driver swapping is mainly a strategy used by Red Bull and its sister team, now called VCARB.
Ricciardo’s mid-season departure marked the ninth time a Red Bull-affiliated team had made such a switch. The decision was made to give Lawson a chance to secure a seat on the 2025 F1 grid, as his contract allowed him to seek opportunities outside Red Bull if not offered a place soon.
Button remarked that Lawson, too, found the situation uncomfortable, but Red Bull’s focus was on assessing Lawson’s potential. Button suggested this type of move is rare in other teams, where mid-season swaps only happen when absolutely necessary.
Button took time to praise Ricciardo’s career, calling him an exceptional talent. He reflected on Ricciardo’s early achievements, such as his competitiveness against top drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen when he joined Red Bull in 2014.
He also mentioned how Ricciardo showed glimpses of brilliance at Renault, especially in his performances against Nico Hulkenberg. However, Button acknowledged that Ricciardo’s recent form, particularly with McLaren and AlphaTauri, has been disappointing.
Despite the struggles, Button believes Ricciardo’s age isn’t the issue, pointing to Fernando Alonso’s ongoing success as evidence. He sympathized with Ricciardo’s recent downturn, admitting he wasn’t sure why things didn’t work out for him lately. Still, Button shared that Ricciardo seems to have made peace with his situation and believes the Australian has a bright future, whether in racing or another career path.
Looking forward, Button thinks Ricciardo will find happiness outside of F1, even though it’s tough when a departure isn’t on a driver’s own terms. He expressed confidence that Ricciardo, with his personality and talent, will excel in whatever he pursues next, be it in racing, television, or another creative outlet.