Last Updated on September 23 2024, 11:41 pm

Daniel Ricciardo’s recent performance at the Singapore Grand Prix has sparked a wave of speculation about the Australian’s future in Formula One. Despite his storied career, the race may have been the last time the eight-time Grand Prix winner took to the grid.

Even his VCARB team boss, Laurent Mekies, admitted after the race that it “may have been” Ricciardo’s final F1 outing.

 

 

 

Red Bull’s decision to keep Ricciardo questioned

At the start of the season, Red Bull Racing decided to retain Ricciardo for the remainder of the campaign, a similar decision to that taken with Sergio Perez in the senior team.

However, as the season has progressed, Ricciardo’s lack of results – most notably his failure to score a single point since his return to the grid – has fuelled speculation about his future. His continued struggles have left many wondering if his time with VCARB is coming to an abrupt end.

Despite an initial vote of confidence from Red Bull, the signs now point to an uncertain future for Ricciardo in F1. In the build-up to the Singapore Grand Prix, rumours of Ricciardo’s possible exit grew louder, fuelled by comments from Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

When asked about Ricciardo’s situation, Horner cryptically referred to the “bigger picture”, a phrase that only added to the mystery surrounding the Australian’s career.

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A moment of glory amid uncertainty

The Singapore Grand Prix provided Ricciardo with a possible farewell performance, although it may not have been the grand exit he was hoping for. His efforts to end the race on a high culminated in a late charge that denied McLaren’s Lando Norris – currently battling with Max Verstappen for the Drivers’ Championship – the fastest lap of the race.

Christian Horner acknowledged the effort, saying, “Daniel obviously wanted to finish the race on a high,” adding that the team would use the upcoming break to “evaluate all the relevant performances of the drivers.”

This brief moment of glory, however, did little to quell the speculation. Horner’s reference to the “bigger picture beyond Daniel” suggested that the decision on Ricciardo’s future may already be leaning towards an exit from the Red Bull organisation.

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Mekies’ ominous words: ‘Could be Daniel’s last race’

Adding to the uncertainty, VCARB team principal Laurent Mekies used telling language in the team’s post-race press release. He spoke of Ricciardo’s performance in Singapore with a sense of finality, saying the team “may have seen Ricciardo’s last race”.

Mekies reflected on the Grand Prix itself, explaining that the team needed a Safety Car to boost Ricciardo’s chances of getting back into the points after starting with an aggressive strategy on soft tyres. He noted that Ricciardo “put in some very good laps” but ultimately had little chance of making significant progress from his position at the back of the grid.

However, in a poignant nod to what may have been Ricciardo’s final moments in F1, Mekies revealed that the team wanted to give him the opportunity to go out with a memorable gesture.

“Given that this could be Daniel’s last race, we wanted to give him the opportunity to savour it and go out with the fastest lap,” he said. Ricciardo was able to secure the fastest lap, but without the points to go with it as he finished a distant 18th.

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A storied career nearing its end?

Ricciardo’s future in F1 remains uncertain, but his legacy is secure. Over the course of his career, he has amassed eight Grand Prix wins, 32 podium finishes and 17 fastest laps. With each passing day, however, it looks increasingly likely that these will be the final statistics of his F1 career.

If the Singapore Grand Prix is indeed his last race, it will close the chapter on a career filled with highlights and a reputation for daring overtakes and fearless driving. Known for his ability to make daring moves on the track, Ricciardo’s infectious personality made him a fan favourite throughout his time in the sport.

As for what lies ahead, Ricciardo’s future may not be entirely in his hands. The next few weeks could see crucial decisions made by Red Bull and VCARB management as they evaluate their driver line-ups ahead of the 2024 season.

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Ricciardo’s lasting impact

Ricciardo’s contribution to F1 goes beyond the statistics. His departure from Red Bull’s junior team in 2014 and subsequent success with the senior team alongside Max Verstappen earned him a place among the top drivers of his era. Now, as his former team-mate Max Verstappen continues his quest for a fourth Drivers’ Championship, Ricciardo may even take solace in the fact that his late push for the fastest lap in Singapore denied Norris the point, potentially aiding Verstappen’s title ambitions.

In the ever-changing world of F1, Ricciardo’s career is a reminder of the fine line between success and failure. Whether Singapore was indeed his last race or not, the Australian will leave a lasting impression on the sport and its fans.

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A final farewell?

As F1 enters the final stages of the 2024 season, Daniel Ricciardo’s future hangs in the balance. His performance in Singapore, while impressive, may not be enough to secure his place on the grid for the remainder of the season. With rumours swirling and cryptic comments coming from both his team and Red Bull management, all signs are pointing to a conclusion that Ricciardo and his fans have long feared: the end of his time in F1 may be fast approaching.

For now, the motorsport world waits in suspense. Whatever the decision, Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 career will be remembered for its highs, its unpredictability and the passion he brought to the sport.

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MORE F1 NEWS: Red Bull accused of a “lack of respect”

Red Bull Racing have proven to be a laser sharp Formula One team when it comes to winning races and championships unlike McLaren who have gifted Max Verstappen ten points this season by falling to prioritise Lando Norris in his chase down of the world champion drivers’ lead this year.

In their nineteen year history Red Bull have ditched more drivers mid-season than any other team since 2005. Daniel Kvyat was bumped down from his race seat alongside Max Verstappen as Alex Albon was promoted during the 2019 season.

Nyck de Vries suffered a similar fate in 2023 when after just ten races in the V-CARB team he was replaced by Ricciardo for the remainder of the season. Now it appears Ricciardo too is set to be ditched from V-CARB with six race weekends remaining in the 2024 competition…READ MORE ON THIS STORY