Amid final week’s outpouring of affection for Daniel Ricciardo as his Components 1 exit grew to become official, there was additionally unease from some about how his remaining weekend performed out.
Whereas Ricciardo was provided that quickest lap alternative as a farewell reward, obtained a guard of honour on his return to the RB motorhome post-race, and the nice and the great mentioned their goodbyes on Sunday evening, there have been loads of folks suggesting he didn’t get the total farewell that he deserved.
In spite of everything, if the paddock and the remainder of the world had recognized correctly that it was going to be Ricciardo’s remaining race for RB, then there may have been higher celebrations to mark the event.
That Ricciardo didn’t get such remedy is one thing that has been laid on the door of Pink Bull and RB, amid the misbelief that they’d stored the Australian at the hours of darkness about their intentions.
For that principle to stack up, nonetheless, it will have required Ricciardo to have recognized nothing in regards to the plans to advertise Liam Lawson with speedy impact – and that every part that occurred within the days after Singapore got here out of the blue.
However, in keeping with insiders, the truth of how issues developed between Pink Bull/RB and Ricciardo behind the scenes was very totally different to the way it performed out in public.
And like with most issues within the sophisticated world of F1, there have been a large number of things coming collectively that resulted in a weekend the place, for each workforce and driver, the farewell was maybe not as they might every have finally wished for.
Lawson choice
The important thing driving drive behind why Singapore grew to become the crunch weekend is known to have been an choice in Lawson’s contract with Pink Bull referring to his F1 future.
Liam Lawson, Reserve Driver, Visa Money App RB F1 Group
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
A number of sources have indicated that there was a September deadline for Pink Bull to commit Lawson to an F1 seat for 2025, or else he would in impact grow to be 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 recognized that Sauber/Audi had been sniffing round him earlier within the season.
Nevertheless, with Pink 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 important reluctance to let Lawson go as he may doubtlessly be somebody Pink Bull wants in its foremost squad sooner fairly than later.
So with Pink Bull/RB sure that Lawson was their man for the long run, and that the September deadline meant a choice needed to be made after Singapore, the true query was which workforce he would get drafted into and who he would exchange.
The conclusion in a short time grew to become that, whereas Perez has not been delivering all that had been hoped for, it was in all probability a step too far to count on Lawson to instantly step up as Verstappen’s team-mate.
That may have thrust him into an setting of ultra-high stress with the chance that it may 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 midst of 2023.
Positive there had been some robust 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 kind usually.
It is usually vital to do not forget that Ricciardo had been introduced again to F1 not for what he may do for RB, however as a substitute to audition for a return to Pink Bull if Perez didn’t ship.
And whereas the Mexican has had a disappointing marketing campaign, Ricciardo’s personal up-and-down performances for RB meant he by no means grew to become an apparent candidate to step up and be assured to do a greater job.
So as soon as Ricciardo was successfully now not a Pink Bull candidate, then he was at all times going to be up in opposition to it to persuade RB to increase his contract past the top of this 12 months.
From the perspective of Pink 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 top of the season, particularly because the squad wanted solutions about Lawson in case Perez’s scenario continued to frustrate.
Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Group VCARB 01
Photograph by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Photos
Whereas long-time ally Pink Bull workforce boss Christian Horner did all he may to delay the inevitable, and gave Ricciardo each alternative he may to attempt to show his price, 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 Pink Bull having no want to unfold tales about Ricciardo being changed and as a substitute wanting to depart issues as much as the Australian in how one can deal with issues.
There have been additionally different components at play, as Marko defined this week about why issues weren’t introduced by the workforce earlier than the weekend – regardless that, in his personal phrases, Ricciardo had been ‘knowledgeable’.
“[It was] associated to quite a lot of components and obligations,” mentioned Marko. “You even have to concentrate to sponsors. He mentioned very properly that he’s at peace with himself, and he has come to phrases with the scenario.”
Ricciardo’s final likelihood
What just isn’t certain although is whether or not Ricciardo knew earlier than Singapore he was undoubtedly out, or that he was possible out.
Whilst he spoke to the media on Thursday in Singapore, the eight-time grand prix winner supplied solely cryptic solutions about his future, suggesting issues weren’t set in stone.
Requested if contractually there was a situation the place Singapore could possibly 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 might 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 am going to wager all my home on it.’ I have been round too lengthy.”
Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Group VCARB 01
Photograph by: Lionel Ng / Motorsport Photos
Insiders have revealed, nonetheless, {that a} dialogue with the Ricciardo camp happened forward of the Singapore race weekend to recommend that, with the course of journey clear in RB selling Lawson, there could possibly be some type of official joint Pink Bull/Ricciardo announcement put out that this could be his remaining grand prix.
Nevertheless, for causes that aren’t totally clear, issues didn’t progress on this entrance.
It could possibly be that Ricciardo didn’t need a complete lot of fuss manufactured from him over the weekend. It could possibly be that he didn’t need the distraction of profession reflections. Or it may have been there have been contractual issues that also wanted sorting if issues weren’t 100% agreed.
Or it might even have been him holding onto hope {that a} good end result on the streets of Singapore may have pressured Pink Bull’s arms in conserving him on.
Even when there was a 0.01% likelihood of him delivering a end result to maintain his seat, then it was one thing price 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?
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 shit, however I am going and get a podium this weekend, after which I am in all probability 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 might probably 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 appeared more and more attainable on Friday night when Yuki Tsunoda ended up fourth quickest in second apply, and Ricciardo simply two locations additional again, because the RB briefly appeared well-suited to the Marina Bay circuit.
And even Marko himself advised that each one hope was not misplaced for Ricciardo.
Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Money App RB F1 Group
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photos
Chatting with Sky Germany in Singapore in regards to the scenario that night, Marko mentioned: “He [Ricciardo] mentioned that if he finishes on the rostrum, the scenario will look fully totally different. I completely agree with him.”
This latter principle would additionally possible clarify why Ricciardo’s manner appeared to vary a lot on Saturday night, the place his Q1 exit meant his destiny was just about sealed.
Ricciardo’s ever-present smile was nonetheless there however you possibly can inform there have been instances when he was having to drive it. There have been moments when he additionally needed to chew his tongue.
Requested if the qualifying end result had damage extra as a result of it appeared after Friday there had been a possibility for redemption, with Marko’s suggestion to media {that a} podium may have modified every part, Ricciardo mirrored…
“You possibly can’t simply go from one race to a different, like, that is… that is not okay,” he mentioned. “I did suppose right now was going to be okay. However, yeah, no, that is… yeah. I am going to say no extra.”
Time to say goodbye
By the point Sunday evening got here, and Ricciardo’s tyre technique had failed as he discovered himself battling on the again, it was clear inside his personal 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 completed and he took his gloves off in parc ferme, he sat nonetheless within the automobile for some time, absorbing his remaining moments as an F1 driver.
Even with no formal announcement about issues, for these outdoors of Pink Bull and the Ricciardo camp, what was occurring was fairly apparent – it simply wanted the ultimate affirmation.
Those that needed to say goodbye to Ricciardo knew that Sunday evening was the best second, as even Lando Norris was seen popping into the RB storage late at evening to say farewell to his former team-mate.
Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Money App RB F1 Group, arrives on the monitor
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photos
Might Ricciardo have had a greater sending-off for his remaining F1 weekend? Completely. And based mostly on the adulation that he obtained when the information grew to become public, it will actually have been a joyous and emotional event.
Would Ricciardo have preferred that? Sure. Would Pink Bull have needed that? Actually.
Hindsight provides 20/20 imaginative and prescient although, and the multitude of interconnecting components – a few of which contradicted one another – meant that the chance for that to occur slipped by means of the online.
And who is aware of, if each events had their time once more, then issues might have been completed in another way.
However as Ricciardo himself identified on social media when information of his F1 exit grew to become public, F1 throws at you each the great and the dangerous in equal measure.
“It’s going to at all times have its highs and lows. However it’s been enjoyable and reality be informed I would not change it,” he mentioned. “Till the following journey.”