Amid final week’s outpouring of affection for Daniel Ricciardo as his Formulation 1 exit grew to become official, there was additionally unease from some about how his last weekend performed out.
Whereas Ricciardo was on condition that quickest lap alternative as a farewell reward, 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 evening, there have been loads of individuals suggesting he didn’t get the total farewell that he deserved.
In any case, if the paddock and the remainder of the world had recognized correctly that it was going to be Ricciardo’s last race for RB, then there may have been better celebrations to mark the event.
That Ricciardo didn’t get such remedy is one thing that has been laid on the door of Purple Bull and RB, amid the misbelief that that they had stored the Australian at nighttime about their intentions.
For that idea to stack up, nonetheless, it could have required Ricciardo to have recognized nothing in regards to the plans to advertise Liam Lawson with quick impact – and that all the things 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 Purple 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 difficult world of F1, there have been a large number of things coming collectively that resulted in a weekend the place, for each crew and driver, the farewell was maybe not as they might every have finally wished for.
Lawson choice
The important thing driving pressure behind why Singapore grew to become the crunch weekend is known to have been an choice in Lawson’s contract with Purple Bull regarding his F1 future.
Liam Lawson, Reserve Driver, Visa Money App RB F1 Crew
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
A number of sources have indicated that there was a September deadline for Purple Bull to commit Lawson to an F1 seat for 2025, or else he would in impact turn out 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.
Nonetheless, with Purple Bull going through 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 may doubtlessly be somebody Purple Bull wants in its major squad sooner quite than later.
So with Purple Bull/RB sure that Lawson was their man for the long run, and that the September deadline meant a call needed to be made after Singapore, the actual query was which crew he would get drafted into and who he would substitute.
The conclusion in a short time grew to become that, whereas Perez has not been delivering all that had been hoped for, it was most likely a step too far to anticipate Lawson to right away step up as Verstappen’s team-mate.
That might have thrust him into an surroundings of ultra-high strain with the danger that it may kill his profession in a short time.
Consideration subsequently 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.
Certain 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 type often.
It is usually necessary to keep in mind 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 Purple 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 not a Purple Bull candidate, then he was all the time going to be up in opposition to it to persuade RB to increase his contract past the top of this 12 months.
From the point of view of Purple 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 state of affairs continued to frustrate.
Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Crew VCARB 01
Photograph by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Photos
Whereas long-time ally Purple Bull crew 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 Purple Bull having no need to unfold tales about Ricciardo being changed and as a substitute wanting to depart 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 quite a lot of elements and obligations,” mentioned Marko. “You even have to concentrate to sponsors. He mentioned very effectively that he’s at peace with himself, and he has come to phrases with the state of affairs.”
Ricciardo’s final probability
What is just not positive although is whether or not Ricciardo knew earlier than Singapore he was undoubtedly out, or that he was probably out.
At the same time as 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 state of affairs the place Singapore might be his final race, Ricciardo mentioned: “I do not assume so. However I additionally do not need to stand right here and be the lawyer. Look, I’d say ‘no’. But in addition, we all know how these sports activities work.
“Individuals haven’t seen by 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 guess all my home on it.’ I have been round too lengthy.”
Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Crew VCARB 01
Photograph by: Lionel Ng / Motorsport Photos
Insiders have revealed, nonetheless, {that a} dialogue with the Ricciardo camp befell forward of the Singapore race weekend to recommend that, with the course of journey clear in RB selling Lawson, there might be some type of official joint Purple Bull/Ricciardo announcement put out that this could be his last grand prix.
Nonetheless, for causes that aren’t completely clear, issues didn’t progress on this entrance.
It might be that Ricciardo didn’t need a complete lot of fuss manufactured from him over the weekend. It might 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} sensible end result on the streets of Singapore may have compelled Purple Bull’s fingers in protecting him on.
Even when there was a 0.01% probability 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 type of speaking a little bit of shit, however I’m going and get a podium this weekend, after which I am most likely the most well liked factor within the sport.
“That is the type of the merry-go-round we’re on. And I do know it could possibly change so rapidly.
“So look, I am conscious that issues are hotting up, so to talk, however I simply need to attempt to get my head down this weekend. And yeah, kick some arse.”
That latter state of affairs appeared more and more attainable on Friday night when Yuki Tsunoda ended up fourth quickest in second observe, and Ricciardo simply two locations additional again, because the RB briefly appeared well-suited to the Marina Bay circuit.
And even Marko himself steered that every one hope was not misplaced for Ricciardo.
Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Money App RB F1 Crew
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photos
Chatting with Sky Germany in Singapore in regards to the state of affairs that night, Marko mentioned: “He [Ricciardo] mentioned that if he finishes on the rostrum, the state of affairs will look fully totally different. I completely agree with him.”
This latter idea would additionally probably clarify why Ricciardo’s manner appeared to alter 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 would inform there have been occasions when he was having to pressure it. There have been moments when he additionally needed to chunk his tongue.
Requested if the qualifying end result had harm extra as a result of it appeared after Friday there had been a chance for redemption, with Marko’s suggestion to media {that a} podium may have modified all the things, 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 assume 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 achieved and he took his gloves off in parc ferme, he sat nonetheless within the automotive for some time, absorbing his last moments as an F1 driver.
Even with no formal announcement about issues, for these outdoors of Purple Bull and the Ricciardo camp, what was occurring was fairly apparent – it simply wanted the ultimate affirmation.
Those that wished 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 Crew, arrives on the observe
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photos
Might Ricciardo have had a greater sending-off for his last F1 weekend? Completely. And primarily based on the adulation that he acquired when the information grew to become public, it could definitely have been a joyous and emotional event.
Would Ricciardo have favored that? Sure. Would Purple Bull have wished that? Definitely.
Hindsight provides 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 the online.
And who is aware of, if each events had their time once more, then issues might have been achieved 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 nice and the dangerous in equal measure.
“It will all the time have its highs and lows. But it surely’s been enjoyable and reality be informed I would not change it,” he mentioned. “Till the subsequent journey.”