Let’s look at the story of this Daniel Ricciardo performance racer, and how he fought through life and came this far. No fairytale ending for Daniel Ricciardo after 13 years in Formula One Daniel Ricciardo admitted Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix could be his last, after finishing in style on a hot lap and being voted “driver of the day” by global TV viewers.
The Australian, who won a career-high eight races in 2011, will reportedly replace reserve driver Liam Lawson in Red Bull’s RB team ahead of the next race in Austin, Texas.
Daniel Ricciardo has admitted that Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix could be his last, after finishing in style on a hot lap and being voted “driver of the day” by TV viewers worldwide. The Australian self-styled “Honey Badger” came last of 18 finishers in his RB at the Marina Bay Circuit, but not before snatching the fastest lap from race winner Lando Norris. It could prove crucial to former team-mate Max Verstappen’s title run as Norris looked set to earn bonus points. Verstappen’s lead in the title race was cut to 52 points after finishing second and he was grateful to Ricciardo and the junior Red Bull team for preventing it from being reduced further. Daniel Ricciardo
“Thank you, Daniel,” Verstappen said over the team radio after crossing the finish line. https://worldtodaynews24.com/
Asked if setting the fastest lap at the Singapore Grand Prix, which he finished last, was a final hurrah, Ricciardo told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Maybe, maybe, yes. So if that’s the case, I think it’s a nice way to say goodbye.”
Daniel Ricciardo
The Australian is widely loved as one of the most Daniel Ricciardo empathetic drivers in the paddock, with an infectious permanent smile and a great sense of humor. “If Max wins (the title) by a point, I’ve guaranteed myself a nice Christmas present,” he joked after the race. Ricciardo, who won eight GPs in 13 years on the grid, will be missed.
He epitomizes Aussie culture by “sleeping” on stage after each of his wins, sipping champagne from his sweaty racing boots.
Ricciardo declined with 32 podium appearances while scoring 1,329 points with Toro Rosso (later AlphaTauri and now RB), Red Bull, Renault, and McLaren. Daniel Ricciardo
“Usually the daytime driver is not something that our drivers see a lot,” said an emotional Ricciardo.
“But today I can say it’s something I’m grateful for. So that means a little something.
“Let’s just say it’s not a fairytale ending, but I have to look back 13 years or so and I’m proud.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)
He added: “I’m not too sure what the plan is, but I mean, look, I’ve got a good idea.”
Ricciardo’s fastest lap caused some controversy as it took the point away from McLaren’s Lando Norris, who won the race and is in a title battle with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. This did not help RB in the championship as a driver only scored points for the fastest lap. If they can make it to the top ten. Asked why the team pitted him for fresh tires at the end of the race, an RB spokesman said: “If this was his last race, we wanted him to go high.” The RB spokesman added that the party did not know if a decision had been made. Ricciardo’s future will be determined by Red Bull management, primarily team principal Christian Horner and motorsport adviser Helmut Marko.
In bringing him back, Red Bull hoped he could recapture the form he has shown with them over the past decade and become a possible replacement for Sergio Perez as Verstappen’s teammate.
Daniel Ricciardo 2024 Performance
Ricciardo said: “I think it can help Max in Abu Dhabi so if he wins by a point it can be a Christmas present.” Verstappen said: “He can ask for what he wants.”
The Dutchman, who was teammates with Ricciardo at Red Bull from 2016-2018, paid tribute to the 35-year-old.
“He’s a great guy,” Verstappen said. “We’ve always had a great relationship. We’ve had a competition to play in the team. “I put my best foot forward and maybe it’s not a fairytale ending, but I’ve got 13 years or so to look back on. Oh, I’m proud.”
Ricciardo held back tears when asked why he sat in the cockpit of his car for so long after the race. As Red Bull junior Liam Lawson takes over for Australia when he briefly retires from injury in 2023, speculation has been rife that the youngster will eventually sign for RB, but that has only grown as the season has progressed. Daniel Ricciardo
Ricciardo has narrowly edged out his teammate Yuki Tsunoda in 2024, who currently holds the 35-year-old’s 22 to 12 points. Although his ability has sometimes outstripped the car’s performance, Ricciardo’s latest stint in F1 doesn’t seem to have brought him back to Red Bull the way he wanted. He recently confirmed whether his contract will be reviewed before landing in the paddock in Austin. “He will be remembered as a great driver and a great person. He has a great character. Anyone rarely hates him. In a few years when I’m not here anymore, we’ll sit down and have a beer. And remember all those years together.
Daniel Ricciardo
Ricciardo left Red Bull for Renault in late 2018 and spent two seasons with the French team before moving to McLaren in 2021, where he performed competitively. Once there, he struggled to get up to speed with teammate Norris and was dropped after the 2022 season, a year before his contract expired.
Ricciardo stepped into a Red Bull reserve role for 2023 and was brought back to the Race seat halfway through last season as a replacement for Dutchman Nick de Vries, whose performances for the junior team were not enough to satisfy management. Verstappen and Ricciardo joined forces as Red Bull teammates from 2016 to 2018 and are both products of the Red Bull Junior Team. Despite some tense moments as teammates, such as their crash in Baku in 2018, they remained close friends while on the grid. The Australian admitted he was prepared for the situation as the 62 laps around the Marina Bay Street Circuit were his last in F1 after 13 years of non-stop competition. Grand Prix formation.
Daniel Ricciardo
He still has a say in this year’s drivers’ title race and pitted for soft tires late on to set the fastest lap, with bonus points on offer for race winner Lando Norris. The move means that, even if a McLaren driver wins every race and Verstappen finishes behind him, the Dutchman still wins the drivers’ championship.
