Daniel Ricciardo Reflects on Emotional Singapore GP as F1 Exit Looms
Daniel Ricciardo faced an emotional farewell after the Singapore GP, possibly marking his final Formula 1 race. Despite a tough outing, Daniel Ricciardo set the fastest lap, aiding Max Verstappen’s title chances as his F1 future hangs in the balance.
Daniel Ricciardo Bids Heartfelt Farewell After Singapore GP as F1 Future Stands on the Edge
It was an emotional end to the Singapore Grand Prix for Daniel Ricciardo, as the Australian driver fought back tears following what could be his final Formula 1 race. After finishing the race and pulling into parc fermé, Ricciardo remained in his car for an extended period, fully aware that this may mark the end of his illustrious F1 career.
The Singapore GP saw Daniel Ricciardo play a crucial role in the championship fight, setting the fastest lap of the race on the final tour of the Marina Bay Street Circuit. This lap denied McLaren’s Lando Norris a valuable point and potentially bolstered Max Verstappen’s push for a fourth consecutive F1 drivers’ title.
After eventually stepping out of his car, Daniel Ricciardo struggled to explain his emotions, acknowledging that the moment was bittersweet. “A lot of emotions… I’m aware this could be it,” he said, visibly fighting back tears. “The cockpit is something I got very used to for many years, and I just wanted to savour the moment.”
The anticipation around Ricciardo’s departure comes as reports suggest that Liam Lawson will replace him at VCARB for the remainder of the season and into the next year. This announcement is expected to come soon, effectively ending Ricciardo’s current stint in Formula 1.
Despite a challenging race where Daniel Ricciardo failed to advance out of Q1 during qualifying, he managed to leave his mark by delivering the fastest lap in the final stages. “A tough race,” he reflected. “Any time you are out in Q1, you know you have a potentially long day… Ultimately, we just weren’t quick enough.”
Although Ricciardo’s future in F1 remains uncertain, he left the door open for a final gift from the sport, joking that his fastest lap may help Max Verstappen win the title by a single point, saying, “Maybe there’s a Christmas present coming if Max wins [the title] by a point.”
As fans and pundits await confirmation of Daniel Ricciardo’s future, the Singapore GP served as a poignant reminder of his contributions to Formula 1 and the emotional weight of potentially saying goodbye to the sport he loves.
