Ricciardo hoping for ‘you beauty’ cry ahead of potential Singapore send-off

Daniel Ricciardo is confident of delivering in what could be his final Formula 1 qualifying session following a day when RB found itself “at the pointy end” of the field.

Ricciardo’s future is under the microscope this weekend in Singapore with the suggestion that RB will announce next week he will be replaced for the final six races of this season by Liam Lawson, who will then continue for 2025.

At least Ricciardo has attempted to throw himself a lifeline by delivering in Friday practice at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, with the near certainty that form will continue into qualifying.

Ricciardo and team-mate Yuki Tsunoda were sixth and fourth quickest respectively in the more representative night-time conditions in relation to qualifying, separated by just 0.010s.

“That was a really good day for both of us, as a team,” said a happier Ricciardo in contrast to when he was answering questions on his future on Thursday.

“Both of us in the top seven, both sessions, it was good. We’re pretty happy with the car, with some fine-tuning.

“It was just nice to see ourselves up at the pointy end, and it looks like so far we have got a decent package.”

Singapore suiting RB and Ricciardo

As to specifically why, Ricciardo paused and laughed before answering, “No.” Still laughing, he added: “Formula 1, that’s why.”

Offering a more considered perspective, he said: “The last time we had high downforce, I think was…okay, Zandvoort. I was thinking more Budapest. Maybe this package is Budapest-ish, so we were competitive there.

“Maybe it’s a little bit more suited to our car at the moment running the bigger wings and this style circuit.

“We actually thought we’d be good in Baku last week. We weren’t – much lower downforce. So maybe a high downforce setup is a little kinder to us.

“Hopefully it remains tomorrow, and hopefully we can be smiling and just saying, ‘You beauty!'”