‘I have to be ready for this’ – Emotional Ricciardo ‘at peace’ if Singapore turns into last GP

“I feel at peace with it,” added Ricciardo, who returns to Formula 1 with Red Bull in mid-2023 after being dropped by McLaren. “At some point, it will come to all of us… I also think I tried to come back to Red Bull, and it didn’t work out, so I also have to say, ‘OK, what am I doing here in the end and trying to achieve?’… Let’s say maybe the fairytale ending didn’t happen, but I also have to look back at what it was. Fourteen years or so and I’m proud.”

“I think when you have winning moments, you can’t fight for 10th place for a long time. There’s nothing like that feeling, and if it’s not possible anymore, if it’s becoming a bit more difficult – that’s the truth: I’ve been able to have some great moments this year, but it’s been difficult to do it week after week. Maybe that’s why. [being] 35, maybe this means the competition is getting better and better. Who knows?

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After being voted Driver of the Day, Ricciardo was seen taking his time out of the cockpit of his RB at Parc Ferme, with the Australian looking to enjoy his final moments with the car after a gruelling 62-lap race.

Asked what was going through his mind, an emotional Ricardo replied: “A lot of emotions, because I realise that this could be true, and I think it’s just [being] Exhausted after the race. So it’s like a flood of emotions and feelings and exhaustion.

“The cockpit is something I’ve been used to for many years. I just wanted to enjoy this moment,” added the veteran driver, who has competed in 257 grands prix, as he shed tears.