Ricciardo was denied a proper send-off in Singapore
RB boss Laurent Mekies admits that Red Bull and the Italian team could have tackled Daniel Ricciardo’s last race weekend in Singapore in a different way and says the way it unfolded that it was “frustrating”.
All parties insisted during the weekend that no decision had been made on the Australian’s future, while it was clear to observers that Liam Lawson was being lined up to drive from Austin onwards. The official announcement was made the following week.
Ricciardo was thus denied the traditional farewell granted to retiring or departing drivers, something that did not gone unnoticed by close friend Max Verstappen.
“I think it was quite clear for me, and for Daniel, that that was the last race,” said the World Champion when asked by this writer for his thoughts on the subject.
“And yeah, for my side, I think it could have been handled a bit differently, also for him, because he knew it. But if you can’t say it exactly, it’s a bit of a shame.
“He’s done a lot for F1, he’s won races. He has had incredible races. And yeah, I think he deserved a nicer, let’s say, exit.”
Asked by this writer if it was frustrating to have to conduct the weekend in such a manner Mekies agreed that there was an option to tackle it in a different way.
“I think the answer is yes, it was frustrating,” said the Frenchman. “And yes, you’re right, it was not ideal to go through the weekend in that way, first of all for him, on a professional and on a personal matter, and for the whole team around him.
“Yes, Daniel was aware. We did have discussions before the weekend. For many different reasons, we chose together to go into that weekend without announcing. And from that point onwards, we had to deal with it.
“It’s a decision that, in hindsight, we may or may not do differently. But it’s something that we were, both the team and the drivers, were on board to go through that.
“I think in one way or another, we all found a way to express how much love there is from the sport to Daniel, from the fans to Daniel.
“So I don’t know if it would have been better or worse, certainly different, more traditional, but I can hopefully say that the amount of love and empathy we felt through that weekend was something outstanding and something that shows that he’s bigger than an F1 driver, he’s bigger than F1.”
Adam Cooper F1 