Disguised farewells, fast tour controversy… The Ricciardo imbroglio in the Red Bull clan
Named driver of the day by fans at the Singapore Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo appeared to be bidding farewell to Formula 1 this weekend. But Red Bull has still not confirmed his replacement. A confusing situation, also marked by a controversial fastest lap in the race by the Australian.
A better lap on track with a feeling of gallant last stand, an emotional post-race, underlying statements… The Singapore Grand Prix seemed to be the last one for Daniel Ricciardo in Formula 1. The 35-year-old Australian does not yet know if he will be behind the wheel of a race car in 2025, or even in four weeks in Austin. He recently confirmed that his contract would be reviewed between Singapore and the United States.
Read also: Singapore GP: Norris imperial in the city-state, Verstappen reassured
Liam Lawson could race in the last six Grand Prix of the season instead of Ricciardo for Racing Bulls. The 22-year-old New Zealander is expected to partner with Yuki Tsunoda within the Italian team next year. But this is still hypothetical as Red Bull, in charge of the Racing Bulls drivers, has not yet officially communicated on this decision. Helmut Marko, head of young driver development at Red Bull, should make this official in the coming days.
Also, Sergio Perez seemed to be on the hot seat within the Milton Keynes team. But the Mexican driver has been confirmed for the rest of the season. He should, barring a turnaround, keep his spot for 2025 in the parent team.
Farewell tunes
Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 adventure seemed to be ending this weekend. Many elements do not deceive. Upon his return to the VIP paddock, the Australian was celebrated with a guard of honor by the members of his team. Before that, the former Renault driver took his time before getting out of his car in the Parc Fermé. Filled with emotion, he delivered a touching statement in the press zone.
« There were a lot of emotions, » he said. « I am aware that it could be over. And I was exhausted after the race. There was a mix of a lot of things between the emotions and the fatigue. But the cockpit is a place where I have my habits for years and I just wanted to appreciate the moment. »
Tribute messages
The Formula 1 actors were brought to discuss Ricciardo’s case. Verstappen, his teammate at Red Bull between 2016 and 2018, highlighted the Australian’s personality. « Danny and I, of course, have known each other for a long time. And we have always had a great relationship, a great friendship, a lot of respect for each other. He’s a terrific guy, you know […] We will remember him as a very fast driver, I think everyone knows that, but also as a great guy in the paddock, » commented to Sky Sport the one who remained his friend, despite some moments of tension between them, such as in Baku in 2018.
Another former world champion, Lewis Hamilton, believed that the native of Perth still had a place in the paddock: « If I were his manager, he would still be racing. » The official Formula 1 account also posted several photos of Ricciardo with the caption “Goodbye, Singapore.” His F1 career end is not yet official, but everyone seems to have prepared for it.
A last controversial round
Daniel Ricciardo has likely completed his last laps on track aboard a Formula 1 car in Singapore. Racing Bulls also asked the Australian to make a fourth pit stop on the 58th lap to switch to soft tires and go for the fastest lap of the race. Ricciardo did it with a time of 1:34.486. His French race engineer, Laurent Mekies, justified this as a way for him to bid farewell: « As it might have been Daniel’s last race, we wanted to give him the chance to enjoy it and leave with the fastest lap. »
18th in the end, Ricciardo did not score any points for this record. But he prevented Lando Norris from pocketing it. A way to help Max Verstappen in a title race where every point can count at the end of the season. This lap for glory according to Ricciardo, delighted the Dutchman: At the end, everyone has the opportunity to try to achieve the fastest lap. Of course, it’s good that this fastest lap is in someone else’s hands [than Norris].
But the fact that a Racing Bulls driver did favors for a Red Bull counterpart did not go unnoticed in the paddock. Andrea Stella, director of McLaren, pointed out this collusion: « I cannot justify the claim that the Racing Bulls did the fastest lap to support Red Bull. I find it a bit, how to say, strange. I did not see it coming. We definitely need to look into this issue. »
“Beaucoup d’émotions, je suis assez épuisé à l’arrivée de cette course” 😬
Daniel Ricciardo a encore vécu un week-end compliqué à Singapour, peut-être le dernier de sa carrière en F1 ? 🧐#SingaporeGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/gOX2zVdLTR
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) September 22, 2024
The departure of Daniel Ricciardo would, in any case, leave a bitter impression in the paddock. Author of seven victories in 257 races, the Australian brought with him his smile and daily good mood. His last words of his interview on Canal + microphone illustrate the driver’s cheerfulness, in French in the text: « Merci. Je t’aime. Enchanté. »
