Daniel Ricciardo (L) and Liam Lawson. Photo: photosport
RB principal Laurent Mekies has fuelled speculation that the Singapore Grand Prix was Daniel Ricciardo's Formula One farewell by saying it was the reason the team gave the Australian a chance to set fastest lap.
"Given this may have been Daniel's last race, we wanted to give him the chance to savour it and go out with the fastest lap," he said.
That lap, at the end of the race, was understandable if controversial as it denied McLaren's title contender and race winner Lando Norris a point in the battle with Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
It meant Verstappen left Singapore 52 points ahead rather than 51.
The drivers for Red Bull and sister team RB are all under contract to the energy drink company, owners of both outfits.
Former McLaren driver Ricciardo was 18th so did not benefit from the extra point, which can only be taken by a driver finishing in the top 10.
Verstappen thanked Ricciardo after the race for the assistance.
McLaren boss Andrea Stella was clearly unhappy with the situation but stopped short of accusing rivals of collusion.
"At no point do I have elements now to say Racing Bulls went for the fastest lap to support Red Bull, I just find it a little peculiar. I did not see it coming," said the Italian.
"I was a little surprised that the highest priority of Racing Bull's racing in Singapore was to go and score the fastest lap of the race.
"At the same time, I have so much sympathy, support and friendship with Daniel that I'm just happy that he may add this fastest lap to his track record."
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said Ricciardo "obviously wanted to finish the race on a high".
Liam Lawson (NZL), reserve driver of team F1 Racing Bulls, during the 2024 F1 Japan Formula One Grand Prix. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Australian is now expected to make way for New Zealander Liam Lawson, with RB yet to confirm who will partner Yuki Tsunoda next year.
"We've now got a period of time where we'll evaluate all of the relative performances of all of the drivers. It's a natural break in the season to reflect on that," said Horner.
"There's a bigger picture obviously beyond Daniel so he's just one part of the jigsaw. I think that we know Daniel very well, we know what he's capable of, how he drives a car so we have that knowledge."
The next race is in Austin, Texas, on 20 October.
- Reuters