CHRISTIAN HORNER admitted Daniel Ricciardo was lucky to survive for as long as he did before Red Bull finally swung the axe.
The Australian's Formula 1 racing career is likely over now that he has been replaced at sister team VCARB.
Reserve driver Liam Lawson has been promoted to compete in the final six race weekends of the season and is likely to continue into 2025.
But had Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko had his way, Ricciardo would have been shown the door much sooner.
Team boss Horner revealed the experienced Austrian wanted the 35-year-old gone months ago and said: "(Ricciardo) started the season roughly, then Miami was a weekend of two halves.
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