Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo was dismissed Thursday by the Red Bull Racing junior team effectively immediately, ending his second stint in the sport with an unusual mid-season departure.

Ricciardo won eight races over 14 seasons, with his final victory coming at Monza in 2021 when he won driving for McLaren. He was bought out of his McLaren deal after the 2022 season, and he was hired to return to Red Bull as a team ambassador.

Ricciardo was always intended to be Red Bull's safety net. But fluctuating form and a series of decisions leaves the veteran out of F1.