Daniel Ricciardo has acknowledged that the Singapore Grand Prix might be his last race in Formula 1, given the rumors about his future with Red Bull. Speculation has grown that Liam Lawson will replace him, especially after Ricciardo finished as the last classified runner following a late pit stop for the fastest lap. Ricciardo returned to Red Bull last season hoping to reclaim the seat he had given up, especially as Sergio Perez faced difficulties. However, his recent performances haven't been strong enough to secure his position, leading Ricciardo to recognize that he may lose his spot at Red Bull.
Ricciardo answered all the questions of media in the press conference clearing the air around his retirement
“Obviously there is a realistic chance it’s not going to happen (playing again). I think obviously it’s been a very race by race situation with Red Bull I think for all of us in a way. Obviously Checo [Perez] as well, and at times it feels like it’s going one way then it goes the other, obviously there was a lot of emphasis on this weekend. I would have loved a better weekend and who knows if that would have changed anything or if the decision’s been made already prior to the weekend. “I’m obviously prepared, prepared for it, that’s why over the weekend I tried to acknowledge a few things as well with myself," said Daniel.
He also dismissed the possibility of him participating other opportunities in F1 without being a sharp end.
I think acknowledge also why I came back into the sport, sometimes you see the big picture,” he continued.
“I always said I don’t want to be a guy who’s just here on the grid and fighting for a point every now and then which has kinda been how this year’s gone. Obviously this year the purpose was to try and do good enough to get back into Red Bull and fight for wins again, see if I’ve still got it. felt like I came up short with that, so I think it’s then, ‘ok what else am I fighting for here, what else is going to give me fulfilment. I’ve been a young driver as well and at some point I don’t just want to take up space also, obviously you have to be selfish. But for me if I’m not able to fight at the front with Red Bull I have to ask myself what am I staying on the grid for, that’s something I’ve also come to peace with," added the 35-year-old.
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“Obviously last year it made a lot of sense to keep one foot in the door and big picture was to try and get back to Red Bull. I think if I was to do that again there’s not really… I’m not going to restart my career. I’m also 35, I still showed the pace I had over the years. But it’s also been evident that it’s been harder for me to show it every weekend and maybe that is a little bit of an age thing. t definitely came easier for me when I was 25 as opposed to 35, and it also maybe the competition is also increasing," added the Red Bull driver.
“I think that’s a common thing with all sports, the simulators are getting better, the kids are getting younger. So naturally they have access to all onboards now, they can watch and study everyone, maybe the level’s increased and it’s probably a tall task to fight at that level week in week out. I can’t be disappointed with that, I’m happy that once upon a time I could do it, and that was a lot of fun. If this is it, I want to make sure I leave the sport with good memories of it, and it doesn’t get to that place where it’s just a grind and I’m out of Q1 every weekend, that’s obviously not fun," added the Aussie racer.
Daniel Ricciardo denied McLaren and Lando Norris the bonus point for the fastest lap during the Singapore Grand Prix 2024. As he was outside the top 10, he did not receive the extra point and merely prevented McLaren and Norris from picking the additional point.
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