Daniel Ricciardo elected as Driver of the Day of the Singapore Grand Prix

An almost anonymous Grand Prix… Yet F1 fans have chosen Daniel Ricciardo as the driver of the day, finishing 18th in Singapore this Sunday. If he was rewarded by the fans’ vote, it was surely not for his performance on the track but rather for the uncertain future of the Australian in F1.

« A tour for glory »

The only feat at the wheel, he clocked the fastest lap of the race, thanks to a third pit stop towards the end of the Grand Prix. This lap is anecdotal for the Racing Bulls driver: having finished beyond the tenth place, he does not benefit from the reward of an additional point. More importantly, he deprives Lando Norris of the fastest lap and the bonus point. The direct consequence: Daniel Ricciardo allows his former teammate Max Verstappen to maintain a one-point lead over Lando Norris in the championship. Altruistic, the Australian played along with Red Bull. He describes this maneuver as: “a lap for glory”.

A final honorary title as a farewell?

At the end of this Grand Prix, a feeling emerges in the paddock: that of having witnessed the final laps of the Australian in F1. It was his 257th Grand Prix in his career. Emotions were present: first in the mixed zone with tears in his eyes, then with his friends, not failing to applaud him in front of the Racing Bulls hospitality. Although nothing is official yet, Liam Lawson is expected to replace him for the next Grand Prix in Austin, in 4 weeks.

If this is confirmed, his smile will be missed by fans and journalists. It was Daniel Ricciardo’s inexhaustible trademark, despite the difficulties behind the wheel in recent months. Apparently, F1 fans have not forgotten the talented driver he was by paying tribute to him with this vote. Emotions are palpable in Singapore: it’s like the feeling of saying goodbye to him… for good.