Ricciardo on Red Bull: "I will remember this family forever"

In an article he wrote for The Players' Tribune, Daniel Ricciardo has opened up about the long-lasting relationship he has with his current team Red Bull Racing as the Aussie prepares for his final race with the team.

After five years at Red Bull's F1 team and ten years in total of being in Red Bull's program, Ricciardo will move to Renault at the end of the current season. The 29-year-old has had an incredibly frustrating season, however, retiring from races eight times just this year. In July, he announced his departure from Red Bull. Still, Ricciardo wants the world to know that he still has a special connection to Red Bull.

"I really want you all to hear this: I hope everyone understands that Red Bull is so much more than a brand," he wrote.

"It’s a family, it’s a statement of what’s possible. If a team can do all this; win football leagues, build the fastest cars, sign the best gamers, run air races, what are we all capable of? Red Bull just does rad sh*t, and I have loved being a part of it."

Ricciardo was first signed by the Bulls in 2007, and after rising through the ranks, he made his F1 debut in 2011. He then drove for Toro Rosso for several years before getting the Red Bull-promotion in 2014, with Mark Webber leaving the team. This Sunday, his final race for Red Bull, will be his 100th for the team.

"I feel incredibly privileged to have driven for Red Bull Racing and been part of the Red Bull family for 10 years. They gave me my break, and without Dr Marko spotting me all those years ago, I don’t think I would have been able to make my way to F1, to my dream job.

"I will remember this team, these great people, this family, forever.

"And that thought, right there, is when I found clarity. I’ve done so much with Red Bull... I’ve become who I’ve always wanted to be, right by their side. And I know, I know, that I can leave having given them my everything and having received the same in return."