F1 news: Fans in unexpected gesture for Daniel Ricciardo as telling RB scenes spell the end

Daniel Ricciardo has always been one of the most adored F1 drivers in the sport and fans have bestowed upon him a potential parting gift in what appears to be his final race for RB. Ricciardo fronted the media with tears in his eye after the Singapore GP having accepted he probably raced in a F1 car for the last time.

The Aussie finished 18th for RB and there has been speculation all week around whether the Singapore GP would be his last race. Martin Brundle reported – before the drivers took off in Singapore – New Zealand talent Liam Lawson will be promoted to Ricciardo’s seat after the race. This would be a huge blow to Ricciardo who claimed he would finish his career at the Red Bull team.

Ricciardo suggested he would finish his career at the Red Bull team and there are doubts on whether he will be handed a reserve driver position for 2025. And Ricciardo appeared to have accepted this was likely the final race of his career.

Many fans felt devastated having watched the usually jovial Aussie break down during an interview and viewers around the world let him know how much they meant to him. In what could be his final display in the RB car, Ricciardo left McLaren and viewers in awe as he pitted towards the end of the race.

Ricciardo then tackled the Singapore GP with fresh tyres and in an astonishing move he claimed the ‘Fastest Lap’ of the day honours. This could be monumental in the driver championship standings with Norris missing out on an extra point due to Ricciardo’s lap honour.

And as a result of Ricciardo’s epic drive, and knowing it could be his final race, fans around the world voted the Aussie as the ‘Drive of the Day’. This honour normally falls to a driver that has climbed up the grid to make the podium, or for a complete race.

Though fans were clearly already feeling nostalgic for their favourite driver, plus his incredible fastest lap, and sent Ricciardo out with a moment to savour. “Typically,’ Driver of the Day’ is maybe not something us drivers look too much into, but today I can say I am appreciative of. That one today means a little something,” Ricciardo confirmed after the race.

But that was not all. F1 reporter Nate Saunders noted guests at RB had created a guard of honour for Ricciardo, despite no guarantee this was his last race as a F1 driver. The F1 social media account posted Ricciardo walking through the guard of honour to an applaud from his crew.

Daniel Ricciado’s ‘fairytale’ F1 exit cut short

Speaking to Sky Sports, Ricciardo admitted he didn’t want to be just racing on the gird for the sake of it. Instead, he wanted to return in 2024 and compete with the likes of Norris and Verstappen.

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While Ricciardo has shown glimmers of his talent this season he has not been able to string a number of performances together in the RB car. And Ricciardo appeared to have accepted the Singapore GP could be the end with the ‘fairytale’ ending not going to plan.

“I also have to acknowledge why I came back after the McLaren stint. I always said I don’t want to come back just to be on the grid; I want to try and fight back at the front and get back at Red Bull. Obviously it didn’t come to fruition,” he added. “I put my best foot forward. Maybe the fairytale ending didn’t happen.”

Max Verstappen praises Daniel Ricciardo after defiant race

Ricciardo’s ability to claim fastest lap helped his former driving teammate in the championship race. Taking a point away from Norris now means Verstappen can finish second to Norris in all the remaining GPs and springs and still win the drivers’ championship.

After finishing second, Verstappen was told over the radio his old teammate had done him a favour and one fastest lap. “Thank you, Daniel,” Verstappen said over the radio. Although McLaren were not happy with the outcome.di