Daniel Ricciardo reflects on possible F1 exit after Singapore Grand Prix
Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool
Daniel Ricciardo set the fastest lap of the Singapore Grand Prix and was voted Driver of the Day, but the Australian acknowledged that he might have raced in Formula One for the last time. Despite this accolade and fan support, Ricciardo's future in F1 remains uncertain.
The eight-time grand prix winner finished only 18th for Red Bull-owned RB, being lapped by McLaren's race winner Lando Norris in a race that did little to assuage the swirling rumors about his imminent departure from the sport.
Speculation has mounted regarding Ricciardo's future, with mounting reports suggesting that New Zealand's Liam Lawson will replace him starting from the next race in Austin, Texas. Ricciardo did little to dispel these whispers, speaking candidly and contemplatively, as one who knows the writing on the wall.
Referring to his fastest lap as "one last crack at doing a fast one," the 35-year-old was asked by Sky Sports television if time was indeed up.
"Possibly, you know. I have to acknowledge that," he replied. "It's been a little bit of a race-by-race situation and I would have obviously loved the weekend to have gone better. It didn't, so I have to be prepared for, yeah, this may be being it.
"I do feel, let's say, at peace with it," Ricciardo added. "At some point it'll come for all of us."
Ricciardo's career, which once saw him as a teammate to now-triple champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull, has had its peaks and troughs. His performances began to wane upon his departure for Renault and then McLaren, from which he was ultimately released.
A return to RB last season offered the tantalizing prospect of working his way back to Red Bull in place of Sergio Perez, but the results failed to meet expectations.
"I tried to get back into Red Bull, it didn't work out. So then I also have to say 'OK, what else am I ultimately doing here and trying to achieve?' I think when you experience the highs of winning, you can only fight for P10 for so long."
Reflecting on this season, Ricciardo remarked, "I was able to do some moments of maybe greatness this year, but it was trickier to do it week in, week out and maybe that's [being] 35, maybe that's the competition getting better and better, who knows."
Ricciardo acknowledged the toll of the sport, saying, "It is exhausting... if this is it and if things move on without me, I think firstly I'll just give myself time to figure out what's next. Maybe it's something different, maybe I go on and climb mountains or something."
Meanwhile, Ricciardo's fastest lap in Singapore took a point from Norris and could be a pivotal factor in the championship race. He humorously hoped it would earn him a nice Christmas present if Verstappen wins the title by that margin.
"Let's say maybe the fairytale ending didn't happen but I also have to look back on what it's been, 13 or so years, and I'm proud," said the Australian of his career.
"Typically the Driver of the Day thing is maybe not something us drivers put too much into but today I can say it's something I'm appreciative of. That one today means a little something."
Ricciardo's future may be uncertain, but he exits the Singapore Grand Prix with a sense of peace and a career well-fought. The motorsport world now waits to see what the next chapter holds for this beloved driver.
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