How Christian Horner responded when asked if Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career was over

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Visa Cash App RB driver Daniel Ricciardo was awarded Driver of the Day by Formula 1 fans at the end of the Singapore Grand Prix.

Typically, drivers aren’t rewarded with such an accolade for earning the fastest lap of the race and finishing 18^th, but Daniel Ricciardo was the subject of plenty of attention throughout the weekend.

The Australian’s future was suddenly the focus of many people’s questions at the beginning of the Singapore Grand Prix.

Ricciardo knew with seven races remaining that his future in F1 was in doubt as he was fighting for one of just two vacant seats on the 2025 grid.

A clause in Liam Lawson’s contract was set to expire this month that meant Red Bull either had to find him an F1 seat or allow him to fly the nest.

It appears as though Red Bull have made the necessary call to keep the young Kiwi within their roster at the expense of Ricciardo.

READ MORE: Visa Cash App RB driver Daniel Ricciardo’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Journalist Chris Medland posted on social media and shared what Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said about the matter.

Horner has always been a huge fan of Ricciardo and played his part in his return to AlphaTauri last year.

When Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull was being questioned, Horner was the man backing Ricciardo to potentially step up to join Max Verstappen.

Unfortunately, it appears as though that opportunity has been and gone for the 35-year-old.

How Christian Horner reacted to being asked about Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 future

Posting on X about his interaction with Horner, Medland said: “I asked Christian Horner if that fastest lap was Daniel Ricciardo’s final lap in Formula 1 and he said it will be reviewed in this gap before Austin.

“Ricciardo himself clearly emotional and admits that might be it for him #F1 #SingaporeGP.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Visa Cash App RB F1 Team from team principal to Red Bull relationship

Ricciardo appeared resigned after the race and while he wouldn’t confirm his next steps, his mood didn’t reflect that of someone who believes they’ll still be on the grid in Austin.

Horner was then asked about Ricciardo’s fastest lap effort and said, via The Athletic: “Daniel obviously wanted to finish the race on a high.”

Max Verstappen sent immediate message Daniel Ricciardo after the Singapore Grand Prix

Ricciardo’s final act as a Formula 1 driver might have been to steal the fastest lap point off Lando Norris.

That may come into play at the end of the season, with the gap between Norris and Verstappen slowly shrinking with each passing race weekend.

Ricciardo admitted while speaking to Sky Sports F1 that he had nothing against Norris but would expect a gift in return from Verstappen if he ended up winning his fourth championship by a single point.

Verstappen sent Ricciardo a message on the team radio when he heard that he had taken the fastest lap off Norris after his third pit stop.

It means that his final classified position in Formula 1 would be 18^th and last if he’s not at the next race, although David Croft wonders if there’s still a way back onto the grid for Ricciardo next year.