Daniel Ricciardo, the Australian racing star revered for his charismatic personality and talent behind the wheel, has likely hung up his racing gloves for good. Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater asserts that Ricciardo is now "finished" as a Formula 1 driver, after the announcement that he will be replaced by Liam Lawson for the upcoming United States Grand Prix.

Ricciardo's journey in Formula 1 began with the Red Bull family, progressing from Toro Rosso to the main Red Bull team, where he celebrated seven Grand Prix victories. However, after difficult stints with Renault and McLaren, where he faced more struggles than triumphs, Ricciardo returned to Red Bull's junior team, VCARB, aiming to reclaim a spot in the senior team once held by Sergio Perez. Unfortunately, this return has ended in disappointment, as VCARB has opted to give Lawson a chance in the contention for points during the last six races of the season.

Despite speculation circulating that Ricciardo might be on standby for Perez’s seat in the senior Red Bull team, Slater firmly believes that this scenario is unlikely. After an emotional farewell at the last race in Singapore, where Ricciardo expressed his disillusionment with how his story unfolded, it appears that there’s “no way back” for him. As the racing community is abuzz with discussions about his future, many seem to agree: Ricciardo’s time in F1 appears to be coming to a close.

But what led to Ricciardo’s dramatic decline in performance? Although he secured a podium here and there, consistency eluded him in recent seasons. His struggles have ignited discussions among fans and analysts alike, pondering whether age, team dynamics, or even the evolving nature of F1 cars played a role in his lackluster performance.

Concerns about Ricciardo’s professional future linger. While some reports suggest Red Bull might still offer him a role elsewhere within the team, such as an ambassadorial position, Ricciardo has made it clear he does not wish to play a reserve driver role again, stressing that he isn't looking to restart his career at the age of 35.

As Ricciardo looks introspectively at his racing journey, many fans hold their breath. The racing world awaits the final chapter of what was once a promising career, the hopes of his many supporters pinned to whether he might one day return to the track—perhaps not as a driver, but still as a figure within the high-octane world of Formula 1. Is the hero of the grid really finished, or could we see a return, perhaps in a different capacity? Only time will tell.