From Massa’s Sao Paulo tearjerker to Alonso’s Abu Dhabi donuts – 6 emotional F1 driver departures

After plenty of speculation, RB have confirmed that Daniel Ricciardo will be replaced by Liam Lawson for the remainder of the 2024 season – ending the Australian’s second stint in F1. As the dust settles on the news, we’ve picked out a selection of poignant driver exits from recent memory, including some that were swiftly reversed…

Schumacher steps down from the Scuderia

Michael Schumacher dropped a massive announcement midway through 2006 when the then 37-year-old revealed – moments after claiming victory in front of the Tifosi at the Italian Grand Prix – that he would be retiring from the sport come the end of the season.

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Schumacher was already a seven-time world champion at this point, vying to make it a record-extending eight in a fierce battle with Renault rival Fernando Alonso, and had claimed 90 of the 91 victories he would ultimately finish his career with.

During an emotional post-race press conference, at the home of the Ferrari team he had achieved so much with, Schumacher managed to keep his composure in front of gathered journalists while explaining the decision and how it felt after a lengthy stint at the top.

There would be a second farewell for Schumacher in 2012 when, at the end of a challenging return to the sport with Mercedes, the legendary racer brought the curtain down on his F1 adventure for good amid plenty of touching tributes at that year’s Interlagos finale.