Daniel Ricciardo says he expects an “emotional” departure from Red Bull when he makes his final start for the team in Abu Dhabi next week.
His last start for the team will also be his 100th since he joined them from Toro Rosso in 2014 and scored his first of seven wins with the team.“Abu Dhabi marks the end of five years with the team and 10 years with Red Bull itself.” said Ricciardo, who was part of Red Bull’s Junior Team before he reached F1.
“I’m sure it’s going to be emotional afterwards, especially when I cross the line for the last time with the team. But I’m going there guns a blazing, showing a lot of love. Hopefully the love shows me back and I can spray some fake champagne on Sunday, which would be a fitting farewell.”
Ricciardo is aiming to make his first visit to the rostrum since he won the Monaco Grand Prix in May.
“Abu Dhabi has always been a pretty good track for me and I enjoy going there. I’m yet to get an Abu Dhabi podium, but that would be a pretty awesome way to end my stint with Red Bull and to end the season.”
Don't miss anything new from RaceFans
Follow RaceFans on social media:
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2018 F1 season
- McLaren staff told us we were “totally crazy” to take Honda engines in 2018 – Tost
- ‘It doesn’t matter if we start last’: How Red Bull’s junior team aided Honda’s leap forward
- Honda’s jet division helped F1 engineers solve power unit problem
- McLaren Racing losses rise after Honda split
- Ricciardo: Baku “s***show” was Red Bull’s fault
Joao (@johnmilk)
16th November 2018, 17:05
Got to give it him, he is confident he will cross the line
Phylyp (@phylyp)
16th November 2018, 18:02
@johnmilk – LOL :-)
PS: Good to see you back logged in
Joao (@johnmilk)
16th November 2018, 18:52
Had technical problems on a business trip @phylyp. But I like to think that I created a bad enough reputation that when I comment logged out people know it’s me saying nonsense
Phylyp (@phylyp)
16th November 2018, 19:25
@johnmilk – oh, it was all that “the real johnmilk”, “the artist formerly known as johnmilk” that gave you away :-)
Joao (@johnmilk)
16th November 2018, 19:38
Will disguise it next time
Neil (@neilosjames)
16th November 2018, 18:31
I’m sure he will cross the line for the last time… just not sure if it’ll be on the 6th or 7th lap.
Joao (@johnmilk)
16th November 2018, 18:53
Still better than McLaren-Honda
georgeboole (@)
16th November 2018, 21:56
Beat me to it!
Still he’s in a good mood (so far) trolling RBR instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqNdNH2H9zU/?hl=el
The Limit
16th November 2018, 17:23
For him to win the race would be justice in a sense, Ricciardo has endured a lot of bad luck this year. It would be a fitting end to his Red Bull career. I am just hoping that next year’s Renault can provide him with more luck than he had this term.
Robbie (@robbie)
16th November 2018, 18:52
That would be an awesome way for him to depart RBR. A hugely popular win sentimentally for all fans really, let alone DR and RBR.
Chris (@chrisgalaz)
16th November 2018, 20:43
I think everyone in the top 6 deserves a win for different reasons. Except hamilton obviously.
Steven Robertson (@emu55)
16th November 2018, 17:31
Emotional since it might it might be the last chance he ever has of winning a race.
Justin Sane
16th November 2018, 17:37
I want nothing more than to see HAM not take a new engine and fight VER and RIC only to have it blow up and hand RIC the victory in the last race of the season. VET can be in there too if he wants, whatever.
Pjotr (@pietkoster)
16th November 2018, 17:38
Thanks for the show Ric. Wish him all te luck. However I am afraid he will be of no importance anymore.
Stephen Higgins
16th November 2018, 17:39
My mum is a massive Ricciardo fan.
Her birthday’s on Sunday.
He’s not the only one who’s gonna be emotional . . .
Gabriel (@rethla)
16th November 2018, 18:30
I really hope Renault will be a force in comming years. Hulkenberg and Ricciardo is to good to be stuck in Stroll territory.
Robbie (@robbie)
16th November 2018, 18:49
Agreed. It would be great for F1 if Renault could step up their game, in the Pu department of course, but also in the marriage of it to the chassis. It would be interesting to know what or how much DR might be able to bring in terms of his experience with a good Newey chassis married to the Renault Pu.
Todfod (@todfod)
17th November 2018, 7:09
Agree. We need the 3rd manufacturer to join the party up front… and both Ricciardo and Hulkenberg deserve their shot in a race winning car.
MaliceCooper
16th November 2018, 21:02
I would say “he’ll be glad to see the back of Verstappen”, but then that’s all he’s likely to see next year ;-)
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
16th November 2018, 23:34
Yes, let’s hope your right.
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
16th November 2018, 21:51
Sure hope Danny Ric not only wins the race, but takes the entire podium for himself.
Not possible? What if his standard reliable RBR breaks with 5 laps to go and Lewis gives his car to finish. But the borrowed Merc break with 3 laps to go. Then Seb gives Daniel his Ferrari to finish. Voila! The Honey Badger gets all 3 steps and we witness not just one shoey, but 3. ;-)
Nick Wyatt (@nickwyatt)
17th November 2018, 12:50
Ha! More likely is that Max and Romain take out the entire grid on the first lap, Ric grabs a trolley from the Red Bull pit and scootles off in the lead while Max and Ocon grapple on the ground with all the other drivers standing around, shouting “Fight” . . . @jimmi-cynic. Three shoeies for Ric, or whatever the plural is.
Johnny H.
16th November 2018, 21:53
Emotional my ass, he went for a RB farewell by himself! …The can´t handle Max… fake 18 million dollar smile `assassin`
Gabriel (@rethla)
16th November 2018, 22:49
He cant handle Max but that doesnt change his relationship to the other 1000 people in the team which he has known for so long.
Blazzz (@blazzz)
17th November 2018, 0:50
He handled Max pretty well if you ask me, defeating him in 2 seasons. Ric might not have Max’s ultimate pace but he is the more complete driver.
Guybrush Threepwood
17th November 2018, 20:51
Yep. Had the better of Max the majority of the time and would have been close this season without all of Ricciardo’s retirements AND grid penalties. Hats off to Ricciardo though who had acted very professionally through it all.
BlackJackFan
18th November 2018, 5:17
Johnny H. – Very odd comment… imo… ;-)
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
16th November 2018, 22:49
I suspect he won’t be the only one that will be emotional.
I’m looking forward to seeing him rip a couple of donuts whilst being encouraged by his entire team regardless of where he finishes.
It’s a great pity that Alonso won’t be near the front on his final race. Would have been a pretty darn good finish if he and Dan were fighting for the top spot on the podium for the final few laps but hey, it’s more likely that both will end up watching from deck chairs placed near where their cars expire.
Rockgod (@rockgod)
17th November 2018, 0:01
I’m struggling to wrap my head around the fact that there won’t be shooeys anymore in the foreseeable future.
ruliemaulana (@ruliemaulana)
17th November 2018, 12:55
I knew he mean to be on podium, but how a fake champagne fit with his emotional feelings? Is he thinks that all love of RedBull just as fake? Or maybe FIA felt that ending fake races sessions with a fake champagne deem fit too?
Adub Smallblock
17th November 2018, 14:37
You do understand that the champagne used in Abu Dhabi is non-alcoholic, right?
ruliemaulana (@ruliemaulana)
17th November 2018, 15:24
Yes, I just wondering if it’s more than a joke for Ricciardo.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
17th November 2018, 14:01
I wonder if it will be more emotional than Vettel’s last race at Red Bull. Would this also be Ricciardo’s last chance to win a Gran Prix, or a pole, or get a podium? There are no guarantees especially in F1 that he’ll have a fast car again or a winning car. I’m hoping Renault are competitive but all indications are that they will not be at the top.
Seann (@canuckfan)
18th November 2018, 1:42
One of the most personable drivers. Clean driving, fantastic personality.
I hope his decision fulfills his hopes, and aspirations.