Australian F1 star Daniel Ricciardo felt ‘helpless’ in his final race with Red Bull before he signed off with an expletive over the team radio following a year of controversy and conflict.
The 29-year-old’s final race was full of the frustration he’s experienced in his five years with the outfit.
Ricciardo led the race for 15 laps before he was forced to pit on lap 34 which saw him return to the track in fifth position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
He was able to creep into fourth position after overtaking Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas but struggled to catch world champion Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen.
Australian F1 star Daniel Ricciardo (pictured) felt ‘helpless’ in his final race with Red Bull following a year of controversy and conflict with the team
The 29-year-old’s final race was met with similar frustration he’s experienced in his five years with the team – a lead that couldn’t be maintained
Ricciardo said goodbye to his time at Redbull on Instagram following the race: ‘4th place tonight. Marks the end of this journey with Red Bull. The whole week was amazing. So much love. Thank you everyone who’s been a part of this relationship. Cheers,’ he wrote.
When Red Bull engineer Simon Rennie radioed Ricciardo and thanked the Australian racer for his years of service, the larrikin responded: ‘You’re a d***head.’
‘For the record, you’re not a d***head — you’re ok,’ Ricciardo updated.
After the race Ricciardo appeared downbeat about his performance.
‘I’m all right, it wasn’t the most exciting race,’ he said.
‘It was fun (leading) but (pitting late) just put me out of reach or the leaders.
Ricciardo led the race for 15 laps before he was forced to pit on lap 34 which saw him return to the track in fifth position at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday
Ricciardo said goodbye to his time at Redbull on Instagram following the race (pictured)
He was able to creep into fourth position after overtaking Valtteri Bottas but struggled to catch world champion Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen
‘I don’t know if we had any other options. Obviously we could have pitted early and kept track position. It’s always hard to know (the best strategy).
‘I don’t think anyone thought (the tyres would last to the end). Lewis pitted really early and (probably) didn’t think he would last so strongly to the end.’
Stuck behind Verstappen, Ricciardo said he ‘felt kind of helpless at the end there’.
‘I couldn’t really do too much. The pace advantage originally was strong but that fell away quite quickly. We probably weren’t quick enough.
‘I was a bit lonely on the last few laps. I couldn’t do much more. Obviously third and fourth was great for the team, it’s solid.
‘We close this chapter now. Thanks to Red Bull, I would have loved to drink out of my shoe but who knows? There are still a few hours to go yet.’
When Red Bull engineer Simon Rennie radioed Ricciardo and thanked the Australian racer for his years of service the larrikin responded: ‘You’re a d***head’
After the race Ricciardo appeared downbeat about his performance. ‘I’m alright, it wasn’t the most exciting race,’ he said.
Ricciardo had been left disillusioned this year by the lack of reliability of the Red Bull car, with promising positions in races suddenly ending with an array of engine and technical failures.
‘At times, this season has been incredibly difficult. I’ve talked about rolling with the punches… but man, even I get sore after a while,’ Ricciardo wrote.
Riccardo’s move to Renault is regarded by many in F1 as a step backward, as the team has yet to be a genuine contender since re-entering the sport as a constructor and not simply an engine supplier.
Renault will need to take a major step forward if it is to provide the Australian driver with race-winning opportunities like those he had at Red Bull, where he has spent most of his F1 career.
In June, it was reported Ricciardo is dating German colleague Annemarie Horbass (pictured), 24 – an events manager for the Red Bull brand
‘They gave me my break… I’ve done so much with Red Bull.… I’ve become who I’ve always wanted to be, right by their side… But I needed to listen to my heart, I needed to go it alone and make my own decision,’ he wrote.
‘When I get out for the final time in Abu Dhabi … I think I’m going to have a right good cry.’
The Aussie moves on to Renault who will reportedly pay him $70 million over two years and said he still hopes to win a Formula One championship.
There has been talk of tension within the team, and with his co-driver Max Verstappen, that may have contributed to the decision, however, Riccardo made no mention of that in his piece.
‘I feel incredibly privileged to have driven for Red Bull Racing and been part of the Red Bull family for 10 years … I will remember this team, these great people, this family, forever.’
Ricciardo had been left disillusioned this year by the lack of reliability of the Red Bull car, with promising positions in races suddenly ending with an array of engine and technical failures
Ricciardo split with high school sweetheart Jemma Boskovich (pictured) in 2016
In June, it was reported Ricciardo was dating German colleague Annemarie Horbass – an events manager for the Red Bull brand.
He was seen partying with the 24-year-old following a monumental victory at the Monaco GP in May.
Ricciardo was previously in a long-term relationship with Jemma Boskovich, his high school sweetheart from his home town of Perth.
After dating for close to eight years they announced their split in 2016.