RB boss drops big Ricciardo hint - Auto Action

Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies dropped another massive hint Singapore was the last time Daniel Ricciardo will race a Formula 1 Grand Prix, denying the Aussie a well-deserved send off.

With rumours circulating that Liam Lawson will likely take over Ricciardo’s Racing Bulls seat before the United States Grand Prix in October, it appears Singapore was the last time we will see the “Honey Badger” in Formula 1.

Although nothing has been confirmed, scenes such as the Australian given a guard of honour at the hospitality suite, the 35-year-old appearing emotional as he left the cockpit and being interviewed post race suggest the writing is already on the wall.

However, the biggest sign from the team came from the team principal itself in the post race report on the Racing Bulls website.

On Lap 60 of 62 Ricciardo, who battled following a failed gamble to start on softs and finished 18th, was given one last dash on soft tyres and went on the post the fastest lap.

With conspiracy theories floating that it was done to snatch the bonus point from winner and Red Bull’s championship rival Lando Norris, Mekies said it was actually for sentimental reasons, offering Ricciardo a little reward for his efforts.

But in turn, it is the clearest indication from a senior figure at Racing Bulls yet that the end is nigh for Ricciardo.

“Given this may have been Daniel’s last race, we wanted to give him the chance to savour it and go out with the fastest lap,” Mekies said on the Racing Bulls media release.

The team’s post race report also suggested an announcement confirming Ricciardo’s future will be coming soon.

“It hasn’t gone unnoticed that our fans are wondering what Daniel’s future looks like within the Team,” read the statement. 

“Our plans will be announced shortly. Due to the unknown circumstances this weekend, with a couple of laps to go on Sunday, we pitted Daniel and sent him out on a set of new Soft tyres. 

“Daniel did the rest; putting his name in the record book as the driver who set the fastest race lap in the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.”

If the expected announcement does arrive before the next race in Austin, which is not until October 18-20, it would be a cruel end to one of Australia’s best ever.

With 257 races under his belt, Ricciardo has made the most Grand Prix starts of all Australians with his eight wins putting him only behind world champions Sir Jack Brabham and Alan Jones, plus nine-time winner Mark Webber.

At his best the “Honey Badger” was unstoppable as demonstrated by each of his wins from Canada 2014 to Malaysia 2016 and Italy 2021, whilst fans all over the world fell in love with his unbridled joy and trademark smile.

F1 is brutal and the Australian returned to AlphaTauri last year in similar circumstances, but many believe it would be a crying shame if Ricciardo is denied an official farewell instead of hidden messages in the secret Singapore shadows.

Image: Red Bull Content Pool

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