Daniel Ricciardo delivers a little bit of magic in what might 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 group’s lead over Purple Bull within the Constructors’ Championship.

However one driver nonetheless had somewhat magic left in him and delivered a lap that 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 Group 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 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 last second of glory within the sport?

All through your complete season, rumors have adopted the Australian driver, questioning if he would have the ability to maintain onto his seat at VCARB for subsequent season. In latest weeks, nonetheless, the timeframe has shifted, such that when Ricciardo arrived in Singapore this week there was hypothesis that it might be his last race. Each little bit of oversteer on the monitor, each brush with the obstacles, noticed the cameras pan ominously to Liam Lawson, the group’s reserve driver, and a possible Ricciardo substitute.

Ricciardo was compelled to deal with these rumors throughout media day Thursday whereas stating that his aim 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 tough qualifying efficiency made the percentages of such a miracle drive that for much longer, and in the long run, Ricciardo’s second of glory got here by taking that quickest lap, in what might be his last race.

Following the checkered flag, Ricciardo was noticed taking somewhat further time in his RB01 earlier than climbing out. Was that the impact of 62 laps in a “sauna,” as described by George Russell in the course of 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 usually goes to Norris every race weekend because of the McLaren driver’s unimaginable reputation, and matching performances this season:

Curiously sufficient, that bonus level for the quickest lap might be important 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 an alternative, 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 may go well with the RB20 excess of the Singapore streets, however having that further level may matter in the long run within the combat between Verstappen and Norris within the Drivers’ Championship.

How a lot may it matter? This a lot:

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 “Your outdated pal Daniel picked up the quickest lap there.”

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

Thanks, Daniel, certainly.