Mon Sep 23 06:10:59 UTC 2024: ## Ricciardo Hints at Potential F1 Farewell After Emotional Singapore Grand Prix
Singapore, October 1st – Eight-time Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo, who is rumored to be leaving Red Bull after the upcoming Austin race, hinted at a potential farewell to Formula One following a bittersweet performance at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Despite finishing 18th, the Australian driver showcased his prowess with the fastest lap of the race, a feat which earned him the “Driver of the Day” award from fans. He also secured a crucial fastest-lap point for his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen, potentially tipping the scales in the championship battle against McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Ricciardo’s emotional demeanor post-race fueled speculation about his future. After a lengthy period spent in the cockpit, he admitted to feeling a “flood of emotions,” including “exhaustion” and a sense of savoring the moment.
While acknowledging the rumors of his departure, Ricciardo remained ambiguous, stating: “I always said I didn’t want to come back just to be on the grid – I wanted to fight at the front and get back with Red Bull. It didn’t come to fruition. I also have to ask myself the question of what else could I achieve and what else is there to really go for?”
Verstappen, who shared the Red Bull team with Ricciardo between 2016 and 2018, expressed his gratitude for the fastest lap point and spoke fondly of his former teammate: “He will be remembered as a great driver, as a great person, and he has a great character. It’s very rare someone hates him.”
A Red Bull spokesperson confirmed the speculation surrounding Ricciardo’s departure, adding, “If it was to be his last race, we wanted him to go out on a high.”
The Australian driver, who struggled after moving to McLaren and subsequent replacement by rising star Oscar Piastri, has been outperformed by his current Red Bull teammate, Yuki Tsunoda.
Whether Ricciardo’s Singapore performance marks his final Grand Prix remains uncertain. However, his emotional farewell hints at the potential conclusion of a successful career spanning 13 years in Formula One.
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