Daniel Ricciardo delivers a little bit of magic in what may very well be his F1 swan tune

Within the closing laps of the System 1 Singapore Grand Prix, the matter was largely settled. Lando Norris had constructed a commanding lead over Max Verstappen, and barring catastrophe the McLaren driver was going to ship his third win of the season and assist prolong the workforce’s lead over Purple Bull within the Constructors’ Championship.

However one driver nonetheless had somewhat magic left in him and delivered a lap which may not be essential when the season involves an in depth, but in addition is perhaps his farewell to the game he loves.

In these closing laps, Visa Money App RB F1 Staff referred to as Daniel Ricciardo, who was behind the sector, in to bolt on a set of soppy tires. Ricciardo lumbered out of the pits after which roared across the Marina Bay Road Circuit, placing in a thunderous lap of simply 1:34.486, grabbing the bonus level for the quickest lap of the race from Norris, whose finest was a 1:34.925.

Ricciardo additionally reached a jaw-dropping 188.218 kilometers per hour on that lap, the quickest of the race by far:

Was that his closing second of glory within the sport?

All through all the season, rumors have adopted the Australian driver, questioning if he would be capable of maintain onto his seat at VCARB for subsequent season. In current weeks, nonetheless, the timeframe has shifted, such that when Ricciardo arrived in Singapore this week there was hypothesis that it may very well be his closing race. Each little bit of oversteer on the observe, each brush with the obstacles, noticed the cameras pan ominously to Liam Lawson, the workforce’s reserve driver, and a possible Ricciardo alternative.

Ricciardo was compelled to handle these rumors throughout media day Thursday whereas stating that his purpose for the week was to place the RB01 on the rostrum. Maybe a shocking drive would save his seat, and stave off a benching that was seeming inevitable.

However a troublesome qualifying efficiency made the chances of such a miracle drive that for much longer, and ultimately, Ricciardo’s second of glory got here by securing one closing level, in what may very well be his closing race.

Following the checkered flag, Ricciardo was noticed taking somewhat additional time in his RB01 earlier than climbing out. Was that the impact of 62 laps in a “sauna,” as described by George Russell through the Singapore Grand Prix?

Or a driver saying goodbye?

In maybe one other acknowledgement of the second, Ricciardo was voted by followers because the “Driver of the Day.” This award typically goes to Norris every race weekend as a result of McLaren driver’s unbelievable reputation, and matching performances this season:

Apparently sufficient, that bonus level for the quickest lap may very well be essential on the finish of the season. Had Norris held onto that bonus level, he would have closed the hole to Max Verstappen by eight factors. As a substitute, Norris whittled that hole by simply seven factors, and with how this race is shaping up, each level counts. Purple Bull believes that upcoming circuits might swimsuit the RB20 excess of the Singapore streets, however having that additional level might matter ultimately within the combat between Verstappen and Norris within the Drivers’ Championship.

How a lot might it matter? This a lot:

Because the checkered flag flew Verstappen was knowledgeable by his workforce of that feat from Ricciardo. “Your previous pal Daniel picked up the quickest lap there.”

“Thanks, Daniel,” was the response from Verstappen.

Thanks, Daniel, certainly.