Normally, if an F1 driver has just had an 18th-place finish and is
under huge pressure to keep his seat, they will keep their
post-race media commitments to an absolute minimum. They will
address the gathered TV crews before coming over to the written
media for another series of questions, all whilst trying to plot a
way back to the safety of the team hospitality building. But for
Daniel Ricciardo, the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix was different, even
from the Thursday media sessions. Unusually, the then-VCARB driver
was accompanied by his usual team PR, but also by then-Red Bull
director of communications, Paul Smith. Smith would usually be
stuck to Christian Horner like glue over a grand prix weekend, but
in perhaps a sign of things to come, instead, he was by Ricciardo's
side. The article continues below. Ricciardo pre-race On
Thursday, Ricciardo did his best Sir Donald Bradman impression and
went out to bat the questions away, akin to how the Don himself did
during the infamous Bodyline Ashes tour of 1932-33. "I don't think
so, but I also don't want to stand here and be the lawyer,"
Ricciardo told media, including RacingNews365 , when asked if
Singapore would be his final race. "I would say no [it won't be],
but we also know how this sport works, and people have not seen
through a season before, so it is nothing new. "But I don't want to
be like: 'Oh, 100% I'll bet my house on it, I've been around too
long. "I really don't know what is going to happen, but what is
crazy about this sport, and this is me talking a bit of shit now,
but if I go and get a podium this weekend, then I am probably the
hottest thing in the sport. "That is the merry-go-round we are on,
and I know it can just change so quickly. I am aware of things
hotting up, but I just have to try and get my head down this
weekend and kick some arse." The article continues below.
Ricciardo's final race Qualifying 16th on the Singapore streets was
a less-than-ideal start, and things sadly for Ricciardo did not get
any better. The highlight of his race would be a pit-stop late on
for a set of brand-new soft tyres and a chance to go for the
fastest lap. He stole that away from Lando Norris, who was set for
a grand chelem, and it also meant that Max Verstappen could afford
to finish second to Norris in every remaining Sprint and race, and
still win the title. Coming into the pits for what would be the
final time, the eight-time grand prix winner sat motionless in his
cockpit, taking it all in for the last time, knowing he would never
drive one of these things in anger again. As it would turn out and
later be revealed, Ricciardo was informed of Red Bull's decision in
the build-up to the Singapore race, and after the Azerbaijan event
the week before. As he ticked those final media boxes post-race,
the realisation hit Ricciardo. Struggling for his words, his eyes
on stalks, and visibly on the verge of tears, he bid a final
farewell to life as an F1 driver. 1837866041554125082 Danny Ric ❤️
An emotional Daniel Ricciardo speaks after the #SingaporeGP
pic.twitter.com/53hD09HZ4z — Formula 1 (@F1) September 22, 2024
under huge pressure to keep his seat, they will keep their
post-race media commitments to an absolute minimum. They will
address the gathered TV crews before coming over to the written
media for another series of questions, all whilst trying to plot a
way back to the safety of the team hospitality building. But for
Daniel Ricciardo, the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix was different, even
from the Thursday media sessions. Unusually, the then-VCARB driver
was accompanied by his usual team PR, but also by then-Red Bull
director of communications, Paul Smith. Smith would usually be
stuck to Christian Horner like glue over a grand prix weekend, but
in perhaps a sign of things to come, instead, he was by Ricciardo's
side. The article continues below. Ricciardo pre-race On
Thursday, Ricciardo did his best Sir Donald Bradman impression and
went out to bat the questions away, akin to how the Don himself did
during the infamous Bodyline Ashes tour of 1932-33. "I don't think
so, but I also don't want to stand here and be the lawyer,"
Ricciardo told media, including RacingNews365 , when asked if
Singapore would be his final race. "I would say no [it won't be],
but we also know how this sport works, and people have not seen
through a season before, so it is nothing new. "But I don't want to
be like: 'Oh, 100% I'll bet my house on it, I've been around too
long. "I really don't know what is going to happen, but what is
crazy about this sport, and this is me talking a bit of shit now,
but if I go and get a podium this weekend, then I am probably the
hottest thing in the sport. "That is the merry-go-round we are on,
and I know it can just change so quickly. I am aware of things
hotting up, but I just have to try and get my head down this
weekend and kick some arse." The article continues below.
Ricciardo's final race Qualifying 16th on the Singapore streets was
a less-than-ideal start, and things sadly for Ricciardo did not get
any better. The highlight of his race would be a pit-stop late on
for a set of brand-new soft tyres and a chance to go for the
fastest lap. He stole that away from Lando Norris, who was set for
a grand chelem, and it also meant that Max Verstappen could afford
to finish second to Norris in every remaining Sprint and race, and
still win the title. Coming into the pits for what would be the
final time, the eight-time grand prix winner sat motionless in his
cockpit, taking it all in for the last time, knowing he would never
drive one of these things in anger again. As it would turn out and
later be revealed, Ricciardo was informed of Red Bull's decision in
the build-up to the Singapore race, and after the Azerbaijan event
the week before. As he ticked those final media boxes post-race,
the realisation hit Ricciardo. Struggling for his words, his eyes
on stalks, and visibly on the verge of tears, he bid a final
farewell to life as an F1 driver. 1837866041554125082 Danny Ric ❤️
An emotional Daniel Ricciardo speaks after the #SingaporeGP
pic.twitter.com/53hD09HZ4z — Formula 1 (@F1) September 22, 2024
The post Revisited: Daniel Ricciardo on verge of tears after brutal F1 realisation appeared first on RacingNews365.