Daniel Ricciardo was denied a podium finish for his final race for Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, finishing fourth in the last stop of the 2018 season at the Abu Dhabi GP.
Ricciardo was leading the race on supersofts after clawing his way to the front from 5th, but ultimately couldn’t maintain the lead to nab the podium.
“I would have loved to sign-off this chapter with a podium, so I can’t be ecstatic with fourth and there is a little disappointment there”, Ricciardo admitted.
This week’s resolution: Be more Danny Ric ?#MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/zlMVxMMQZu
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 26, 2018
“I led for a while which was fun but staying out put me out of touch with the leaders. I don’t think we had much of a choice, maybe we could have pitted early and kept track position but nobody thought the supersofts would hold on like they did. The pace advantage after I pitted was strong but it fell away quite quickly and I couldn’t make a big enough impact on Max [Verstappen] or the leaders.”
Ricciardo: I close this chapter with thanks and love
“My thoughts are still on the race but once I cool off I will reflect on the last five years with the Team. I would have loved a championship with them but Red Bull brought me my first pole, victory and podium. Everything I have done in F1 is down to them and I’m incredibly grateful for that. The moment before the race with everyone in the garage showing their love and appreciation was really cool and that’s certainly something I will never forget. I thank the Team for the last five years and Red Bull for the last 10. I would have loved to drink out of my shoe and celebrate with the Team one last time, but now I close this chapter with thanks and love for everyone in the Red Bull family.”
He gave it everything but @danielricciardo couldn’t quite make it a podium shoey to mark his 100th and final race for @redbullracing#AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/XBL7HdgoMs
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 25, 2018
