Having joined Red Bull's sister team midway through 2023, the eight-time race winner failed to get the better of team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, prompting bosses to alter their lineup.
While many were disappointed to see Ricciardo depart from F1 given his reputation as one of the most likeable drivers on the grid, there was little surprise when it was finally announced.
Marko, Ricciardo's former Red Bull boss, strongly hinted that the 35-year-old's future looked bleak earlier in the campaign, and has now launched a scathing attack in the wake of his exit.
During a discussion with ex-Williams racer Ralf Schumacher on Sky Sports Germany in Texas last weekend, the Austrian explained why the team felt a change was necessary.
"F1 is a high-performance sport and that was also the reason why Ricciardo was replaced," he said. "He never met the expectations.
"That's not just the case with us, that when a driver slips you have to react."