Ricciardo grabs controversial fastest lap in apparent F1 farewell

As Lando Norris and Max Verstappen were cruising to the chequered flag in a class of their own in Singapore, Daniel Ricciardo - last of the 18 drivers still on track - was being voted Driver of the Day.

Not for any racing heroics, sadly (though we’ll come to his fastest lap shortly) but in acknowledgement that his 13-year career in F1 might finally be at an end.

The rumour mill went into overdrive a few days ago suggesting that Liam Lawson could immediately replace him at RB ahead of a full-time drive in 2025, and the 35-year-old openly admitted that this could be his last race.

Unfortunately for Ricciardo, Singapore showed exactly why his number’s up: outqualified by his teammate, forced to run a sub-optimal strategy, and then mugged by two backmarkers in one corner late on as his old tyres gave up. The elbows-out racer who dazzled the sport in his prime just isn’t there any more, and hasn’t been for some time.

With nothing to fight for and facing what could prove to be his final laps in F1, Ricciardo pitted for fresh softs. Twice. First because his mediums were dead, and second for a (controversial) tilt at the fastest lap; one quiet last hurrah for the man with 32 podiums and eight race wins to his name.

Controversial because snatching the fastest lap away deprived former teammate Lando Norris of a precious point, which could yet prove the difference in his title battle with Max Verstappen. McLaren CEO Zak Brown was among those cheesed off that the Red Bull junior squad was effectively allowed to sacrifice a car in service of the mothership; Norris himself wasn’t bothered.

And after pulling into parc ferme, Ricciardo stayed sat in his car for a long while. Visibly emotional, he later explained: “Yeah, I… a lot of emotions because… look, I’m aware it could be it [his last race]. Also just exhausted after the race. So there’s so much - I don’t know - just a flood of many emotions and feelings.

“The cockpit is something that… I got very used to for many years. And yeah, just wanted to savour the moment.”

Ricciardo reportedly then hung around in the paddock saying his goodbyes. Sniff. There’s now a four-week layoff until the US Grand Prix in Austin, but you’d expect an announcement to be sooner rather than later. Let’s see what happens.

If this is to be it, the Aussie has an awful lot of achievements to look back on with that massive grin. Post your favourite Honey Badger moments below and let’s remember the good times.