Laurent Mekies has shared insights regarding the decision not to publicly announce that the Singapore Grand Prix would be Daniel Ricciardo’s final race with VCARB. Reflecting on the situation, Mekies admitted that this choice was “not ideal” in retrospect, especially given the swirling rumors about Ricciardo’s potential replacement by Liam Lawson for the remaining six races of the season.
Despite Ricciardo’s strong performance in Singapore, where he secured the fastest lap, he left the race weekend without confirming whether it would be his last, indicating a sense of uncertainty surrounding his future.
Following the race, speculation intensified regarding Ricciardo’s status, particularly when he suggested that he had to prepare for the possibility of that being his final Grand Prix. Just four days later, VCARB officially announced Lawson’s replacement for Ricciardo, which triggered an outpouring of criticism from fans on social media. Many expressed disappointment over how the situation was handled, labeling it as “embarrassing” and arguing that Ricciardo deserved a more dignified farewell after his contributions to the sport.
Mekies acknowledged the frustration of keeping the news under wraps, emphasizing that it was a collaborative decision between Ricciardo and the team. He revealed that they had discussions leading up to the race weekend, ultimately deciding not to announce Ricciardo’s departure for various reasons. While he recognized that the situation was less than ideal, he reiterated that both the team and Ricciardo agreed on this course of action, leaving them to navigate the aftermath together.
On the race day, the team did take steps to honor Ricciardo’s legacy, allowing him to add to his career stats with a 17th fastest lap and providing a guard of honor as he returned to the VCARB hospitality area. Mekies pointed out that, despite the unconventional circumstances, the weekend was filled with expressions of love and appreciation for Ricciardo from fans and the racing community. He emphasized that the support shown underscored Ricciardo’s significance beyond just his status as a Formula One driver.
As for Ricciardo’s future, he has not yet made any formal announcements regarding his next steps. Recently, he humorously donned a hat declaring “I’m retired” in a light-hearted social media post, leaving fans to speculate about what lies ahead for the Australian driver after his departure from VCARB. The mixed emotions surrounding his exit highlight both the affection held for him in the sport and the complexities of team dynamics in Formula One.
