Emotional Daniel Ricciardo savours moment in potential last F1 hurrah

In an emotionally charged atmosphere in Singapore, Daniel Ricciardo found himself contemplating what could be his final Grand Prix. The cherished Australian, who boasts eight race victories, is facing the stark possibility of being released by his Red Bull team ahead of the looming Austin race. After finishing the race in 18th place, Ricciardo engaged with the swirling rumors about his future, his tone reflecting a resignation that suggested he might be ready to close this chapter of his Formula One career.

“I sat in the cockpit for quite some time after the race,” Ricciardo shared, revealing the emotional toll it had taken on him. “There were just so many feelings. I realized this could be it for me. I was exhausted and a bit overwhelmed, wanting to take in the moment.”

Yet, even in this potential farewell, there was a spark of pride in the voice of the 35-year-old driver, especially after securing the fastest lap of the day—an affirmation of his enduring skill. This impressive feat didn’t go unnoticed by his fans, who voted him Driver of the Day. Max Verstappen, Ricciardo’s former teammate at Red Bull, even took a moment during the radio communications to express his gratitude, thanking Ricciardo for snatching the fastest-lap point from McLaren’s Lando Norris—a point that could be crucial in determining the championship.

“If Max wins by a point, then I just secured myself a nice Christmas present,” Ricciardo quipped during an interview with Sky Sports. Verstappen playfully responded, “He can ask for whatever he wants.”

Reflecting on Ricciardo’s legacy, Verstappen, who raced alongside him from 2016 to 2018, said, “He will be remembered as a great driver, a wonderful person, and someone who’s hard not to like. It’s rare to find anyone who dislikes him. A few years down the line, when I’m not around, we’ll kick back, share a beer, and reminisce about all those moments together.”

As the emotional farewells ensued, Ricciardo acknowledged the weight of the moment. “If this is my last race, at least it’s a nice way to say ‘adios.’ I’m not quite sure what the future holds, but I have a pretty good idea,” he hinted, likely alluding to New Zealand reserve driver Liam Lawson as a potential successor.

The team didn’t shy away from addressing the implications of Ricciardo’s situation, with a spokesperson stating, “If this were to be his last race, we wanted him to go out on a high note.”

Ricciardo’s journey since his move to McLaren has been challenging, especially after losing his seat to the rising star Oscar Piastri. This season, he has faced stiff competition from his RB teammate, Yuki Tsunoda. “I always said I didn’t want to come back just to fill a spot on the grid—I wanted to compete at the front and be back with Red Bull,” Ricciardo reflected. “That didn’t pan out, and I have to think about what else I want to achieve and why I’m in this sport. I gave it everything I had, and although the fairytale ending didn’t happen, I can look back proudly on my 13 years in this sport.”