Daniel Ricciardo in defiant act during 'last race' as emotional interview leaves F1 fans in tears

Daniel Ricciardo has broken down after potentially his final race in a F1 car only moments after handing RB bosses one last reminder of his talent having snared the fastest lap honours from Lando Norris. Oscar Piastri managed to finish third in Singapore, behind Norris and Max Verstappen, but after the race all eyes were on Ricciardo who was resigned the Singapore GP could be his last.

The Aussie finished 18th for RB and there has been speculation all week around whether the Singapore GP would be his last race with reports New Zealand talent Liam Lawson could be promoted to his seat as soon as Monday. This would be a huge blow to Ricciardo who claimed he would finish his career at the Red Bull team.

While the Aussie could be kept as a reserve driver for the 2025 season, reports suggest this might not be the case for Ricciardo. And in a telling moment after the Singapore GP, Ricciardo became emotional when talking about his F1 future.

"A lot of emotions, look I am aware that could be it," Ricciardo told F1. "I think I am exhausted after the race. A flood of emotions and feelings and exhaustion. The cockpit is something I got very use to for many years. And yeah, just wanted to savour the moment."

Speaking to Sky Sports, Ricciardo appeared to have accepted the Singapore GP could be the end. The Aussie highlighted his fighting character, but unfortunately admitted the 'fairytale' ending wasn't going to happen.

“I also have to acknowledge why I came back after the McLaren stint. I always said I don’t want to come back just to be on the grid; I want to try and fight back at the front and get back at Red Bull. Obviously it didn’t come to fruition," he added. “I put my best foot forward. Maybe the fairytale ending didn’t happen.”

Fans were devastated for Ricciardo who has been a very popular figure throughout his time in F1. His fame went to the next level after Netflix's series 'Drive to Survive' exploded onto the scene.

Daniel Ricciardo wins fastest lap for Max Verstappen

Ricciardo's emotional interview comes after helping Red Bull superstar Max Verstappen with a boost in the title race. Ricicardo may have finished 18th, but it didn't stop the fans voting him as Driver of the Day after a late push for 'Fastest Lap' took a point away from Norris.

With his race all but over, Ricciardo pitted late to gain fresh tyres. This allowed the Aussie to make a charge for the fastest lap. And Ricciardo showed he still has the class to mix it with the best having managed to achieve the feat. This took the honour away from McLaren's Norris.

This meant Norris didn't get an extra point in the drivers championship standings, which ultimately helps Verstappen. This could be a pivotal moment in the championship race with Norris now just 32 points behind Verstappen. And Verstappen even gave Ricciardo a shout out on the Red Bull team radio after the feat.

RB's decision to go for the fastest lap certainly raised eyebrows with McLaren boss Andrea Stella unhappy with the situation. “At no point I have elements now to say RB went for the fastest lap to support the Red Bull. I just find it a little... how to say... peculiar,” McLaren boss Stella said. “I did not see it coming. I was a little surprised that the highest priority of RB racing in Singapore was to go and score the fastest lap of the race.”

Max Verstappen praises Daniel Ricciardo

Before the race, F1 great Martin Brundle confirmed reports this could be Ricciardo's last drive in 2024. Meaning it could be the end of his F1 career. “My understanding is that Liam Lawson will be in that car in Austin (the next race),” Brundle said.

RELATED:

• Daniel Ricciardo at centre of Red Bull axing reports amid F1 development

• Oscar Piastri win puts world on notice and makes mockery of his team

• Oscar Piastri dudded by 'embarrassing' call as Max Verstappen blasted

And there was plenty of support for Ricciardo from his fellow drivers. Verstappen was full of praise for his former Red Bull driving teammate having also talked about his friend as if his career was coming to an end. “Daniel and I, we go of course a long time way back,” Verstappen told Sky Sports.

“We’ve always had a great relationship, a great friendship, a lot of respect for each other as well. He’s just a great guy. We get on well. There’s no fake person; we just get along. Easygoing — we’re like that. He will for sure be remembered as a very fast driver — I think everyone knows that — but also as a great guy in the paddock.”

Before race day, Verstappen handed Ricciardo more praise and said while he may not get his 'fairytale' ending, the Aussie has achieved so much in the sport. "I don’t think he has to feel sorry for himself,” Verstappen said before the final race. "Sometimes things maybe don’t work out the way you want them in certain stages of your career, but you still have achieved a lot more than anyone could ever dream of in their lives.

“Even if this is the last race, you can still look back at something amazing that not many people can achieve and do something else maybe in life also.”