An emotional Daniel Ricciardo says he wanted to ‘savour the moment’ in what could well have been his final race in Formula One on Sunday.
The under-fire Australian had been the subject of widespread speculation heading into the Singapore Grand Prix, with reports suggesting that his team, RB, have decided to axe him in favour of young rookie Liam Lawson for the US Grand Prix on October 20.
While neither Ricciardo nor RB has confirmed those rumours, the 35-year-old appeared visibly upset when he spoke to F1’s in-house broadcaster after the race, in which he finished 18th with the fastest lap of the Grand Prix.
‘A lot of emotions,’ he began. ‘I’m aware it could be it. I think it’s just [that] I’m exhausted after the race so I don’t know, there’s just a flood of many emotions and feelings, it could be exhaustion.’
Ricciardo’s voice quavered as his interview came to an end, when he reflected on his time behind the wheel in Formula One.
‘The cockpit is something that… urm…,’ he said, taking a moment to compose himself. ‘I got very used to for many years and just wanted to savour the moment.’
In what could have been his final act in an F1 car, Ricciardo helped his great mate and world champion Max Verstappen by setting the fastest lap around the Marina Bay street circuit, in so doing taking an important bonus point of championship rival Lando Norris.
Daniel Ricciardo was close to tears after what may have been his final race in the sport
There is widespread speculation that the Singapore Grand Prix was Ricciardo’s last in F1
McLaren star Norris is hunting down Verstappen for the world championship, and Ricciardo’s rapid lap meant the young Briton was denied a bonus point from the race.
Red Bull star Verstappen was informed of Ricciardo’s ultimate team move after the chequered flag and the grateful Dutchman simply said: ‘Thank you Daniel’.
Verstappen ended up finishing second behind runaway race winner Norris, while Ricciardo’s fellow countryman Oscar Piastri took third place following his win in Baku last time out.
