Amid final week’s outpouring of affection for Daniel Ricciardo as his Components 1 exit turned official, there was additionally unease from some about how his closing weekend performed out.
Whereas Ricciardo was given that fastest lap opportunity as a farewell gift, acquired a guard of honour on his return to the RB motorhome post-race, and the good and the nice mentioned their goodbyes on Sunday night time, there have been loads of individuals suggesting he didn’t get the complete farewell that he deserved.
In spite of everything, if the paddock and the remainder of the world had identified correctly that it was going to be Ricciardo’s closing race for RB, then there might have been larger celebrations to mark the event.
PLUS: Why Ricciardo deserves a proper F1 farewell, even if his time is up
That Ricciardo didn’t get such therapy is one thing that has been laid on the door of Crimson Bull and RB, amid the misbelief that that they had stored the Australian at nighttime about their intentions.
For that idea to stack up, nevertheless, it might have required Ricciardo to have identified nothing concerning the plans to advertise Liam Lawson with fast impact – and that every part that occurred within the days after Singapore got here out of the blue.
However, in response to insiders, the fact of how issues advanced between Crimson Bull/RB and Ricciardo behind the scenes was very totally different to the way it performed out in public.
And as with most issues within the difficult world of F1, there have been a mess of things coming collectively that resulted in a weekend the place, for each crew and driver, the farewell was maybe not as they could every have in the end wished for.
Lawson choice
The important thing driving power behind why Singapore turned the crunch weekend is known to have been an option in Lawson’s contract with Red Bull relating to his F1 future.
Looming deadline over Lawson’s future meant Crimson Bull couldn’t delay
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
A number of sources have indicated that there was a September deadline for Crimson Bull to commit Lawson to an F1 seat for 2025, or else he would in impact change into a free agent.
The New Zealander’s efficiency as Ricciardo’s stand-in for 5 races final 12 months had impressed everybody within the paddock, and it’s identified that Sauber/Audi had been sniffing round him earlier within the season.
Nonetheless, with Crimson Bull dealing with uncertainty over Sergio Perez’s efficiency, and conscious that Max Verstappen’s dedication to the squad can’t be assured for the long-term, there was an amazing reluctance to let Lawson go as he might probably be somebody Crimson Bull wants in its important squad sooner somewhat than later.
So with Crimson Bull/RB sure that Lawson was their man for the longer term, and that the September deadline meant a choice needed to be made after Singapore, the actual query was which crew he would get drafted into and who he would exchange.
The conclusion in a short time turned that, whereas Perez has not been delivering all that had been hoped for, it was most likely a step too far to count on Lawson to instantly step up as Verstappen’s team-mate.
That may have thrust him into an surroundings of ultra-high stress with the chance that it might kill his profession in a short time.
Consideration due to this fact shifted to Ricciardo’s future at RB, with there being a sense that the Australian had not hit the peaks that had been hoped for when he was signed for an F1 comeback in the course of 2023.
Certain there had been some sturdy days – particularly that fourth place on this 12 months’s Miami dash – however he and RB had not discovered a stage of consistency to repeat that type frequently.
Additionally it is essential to keep in mind that Ricciardo had been introduced again to F1 not for what he might do for RB, however as an alternative to audition for a return to Crimson Bull if Perez didn’t ship.
Peaks of Miami couldn’t be frequently reached by Ricciardo in 2024
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos
And whereas the Mexican has had a disappointing marketing campaign, Ricciardo’s personal up-and-down performances for RB meant he by no means turned an apparent candidate to step up and be assured to do a greater job.
So as soon as Ricciardo was successfully now not a Crimson Bull candidate, then he was all the time going to be up towards it to persuade RB to increase his contract past the tip of this 12 months.
From the point of view of Crimson Bull’s Helmut Marko, if he was not going to be part of the household in 2025, then it made little sense to proceed with him till the tip of the season, particularly because the squad wanted solutions about Lawson in case Perez’s scenario continued to frustrate.
Whereas long-time ally Crimson Bull crew boss Christian Horner did all he might to delay the inevitable, and gave Ricciardo each alternative he might to attempt to show his value, in the long run even he needed to settle for that it was higher that Lawson’s step up got here for the US GP.
That call was made a number of weeks in the past, and it’s understood that Ricciardo was knowledgeable of the define plan over the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, giving him time to course of issues forward of the Singapore GP.
That information was stored out of the general public area although, with Crimson Bull having no need to unfold tales about Ricciardo being changed and as an alternative wanting to go away issues as much as the Australian in learn how to deal with issues.
There have been additionally different elements at play, as Marko defined this week about why issues weren’t introduced by the crew earlier than the weekend – regardless that, in his personal phrases, Ricciardo had been ‘knowledgeable’.
“[It was] associated to a wide range of elements and obligations,” mentioned Marko. “You even have to concentrate to sponsors. He mentioned very nicely that he’s at peace with himself, and he has come to phrases with the scenario.”
It’s understood that Ricciardo knew going into Singapore of Crimson Bull’s intentions, though particulars are murky
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photos
Ricciardo’s final likelihood
What is just not certain although is whether or not Ricciardo knew earlier than Singapore he was undoubtedly out, or that he was doubtless out. Whilst he spoke to the media on Thursday in Singapore, the eight-time grand prix winner provided solely cryptic solutions about his future, suggesting things were not set in stone.
Requested if contractually there was a situation the place Singapore may very well be his final race, Ricciardo mentioned: “I do not suppose so. However I additionally do not need to stand right here and be the lawyer. Look, I’d say ‘no’. But additionally, we all know how these sports activities work.
“Folks haven’t seen by means of a season earlier than, so it is nothing new in some methods. So I do not need to even be like, ‘Oh, 100% I will wager all my home on it.’ I have been round too lengthy.”
Insiders have revealed, nevertheless, {that a} dialogue with the Ricciardo camp passed off forward of the Singapore race weekend to recommend that, with the course of journey clear in RB selling Lawson, there may very well be some type of official joint Crimson Bull/Ricciardo announcement put out that this could be his closing grand prix.
Nonetheless, for causes that aren’t solely clear, issues didn’t progress on this entrance.
It may very well be that Ricciardo didn’t need an entire lot of fuss manufactured from him over the weekend. It may very well be that he didn’t need the distraction of profession reflections. Or it might have been there have been contractual issues that also wanted sorting if issues weren’t 100% agreed.
Or it could even have been him holding onto hope {that a} good outcome on the streets of Singapore might have pressured Crimson Bull’s arms in preserving him on.
Even when there was solely the slimmest likelihood of delivering the outcome wanted to maintain his seat, then it was one thing value combating for. Ricciardo has proven all through his profession that he’s not somebody who provides up within the face of adversity; so why get out the white flag now?
Ricciardo elected to not difficulty any type of assertion throughout the Singapore weekend to formally acknowledge the tip of his highway with RB
Photograph by: Lionel Ng / Motorsport Photos
As he himself identified on Thursday night: “What’s loopy about this sport is, and that is me simply now, simply form of speaking a little bit of sh*t, however I am going and get a podium this weekend, after which I am most likely the most well liked factor within the sport.
“That is the form of the merry-go-round we’re on. And I do know it may well change so shortly.
“So look, I am conscious that issues are hotting up, so to talk, however I simply must try to get my head down this weekend. And yeah, kick some arse.”
That latter situation regarded more and more attainable on Friday night when Yuki Tsunoda ended up fourth quickest in second follow, and Ricciardo simply two locations additional again, because the RB briefly regarded well-suited to the Marina Bay circuit. Even Marko himself recommended that every one hope was not misplaced for Ricciardo.
Talking to Sky Germany in Singapore concerning the scenario that night, Marko mentioned: “He [Ricciardo] mentioned that if he finishes on the rostrum, the scenario will look utterly totally different. I completely agree with him.”
This latter idea would additionally doubtless clarify why Ricciardo’s manner seemed to change so much on Saturday evening, the place his Q1 exit meant his destiny was just about sealed.
Ricciardo’s ever-present smile was nonetheless there however you may inform there have been instances when he was having to power it. There have been moments when he additionally needed to chew his tongue.
Requested if the qualifying outcome had harm extra as a result of it appeared after Friday there had been a possibility for redemption following Marko’s options, Ricciardo mirrored: “You possibly can’t simply go from one race to a different, like, that is… that is not okay.
“I did suppose immediately was going to be okay. However, yeah, no, that is… yeah. I will say no extra.”
Q1 exit dealt a crushing blow to Ricciardo’s hopes of salvaging his season with a powerful outcome
Photograph by: Lionel Ng / Motorsport Photos
Time to say goodbye
By the point Sunday night time got here, and Ricciardo’s tyre technique had failed as he discovered himself battling on the again, it was clear within his own head that this was it.
That explains why he was so prepared to go for that late quickest lap and why, as soon as the chequered flag was performed and he took his gloves off in parc ferme, he sat nonetheless within the automotive for some time, absorbing his closing moments as an F1 driver.
Even with no formal announcement about issues, for these outdoors of Crimson Bull and the Ricciardo camp, what was taking place was fairly apparent – it simply wanted the ultimate affirmation.
Those that needed to say goodbye to Ricciardo knew that Sunday night time was the correct second, as even Lando Norris was seen popping into the RB storage late at night time to say farewell to his former team-mate.
Might Ricciardo have had a greater sending-off for his closing F1 weekend? Completely. And based mostly on the adulation that he acquired when the information turned public, it might definitely have been a joyous and emotional event.
Would Ricciardo have favored that? Sure. Would Crimson Bull have needed that? Actually.
Hindsight gives 20/20 imaginative and prescient although, and the multitude of interconnecting elements – a few of which contradicted one another – meant that the chance for that to occur slipped by means of the web. And who is aware of, if each events had their time once more, then issues might have been performed in a different way.
However as Ricciardo himself identified on social media when information of his F1 exit turned public, F1 throws at you each the nice and the unhealthy in equal measure.
“It will all the time have its highs and lows. However it’s been enjoyable and reality be informed I would not change it,” he mentioned. “Till the subsequent journey.”
Watch: Why RB have Dropped Ricciardo for Lawson with Fast Impact