Daniel Ricciardo has scored factors in what could possibly be his final race in System 1, as Max Verstappen capped off his second championship yr with victory on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Key factors:
- Daniel Ricciardo completed ninth in his last race with McLaren
- The Australian is rumoured to be Crimson Bull’s reserve driver in 2023
- Max Verstappen received the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his fifteenth race victory of the season
In his last race for McLaren the Australian was capable of struggle from thirteenth on the grid to complete ninth.
He was challenged all the way in which to the ending line, with retiring four-time world champion and former Crimson Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel threatening to overhaul him on the ultimate lap.
However Ricciardo fended off the German into the ultimate flip to remain forward.
“I am relieved with how the race ended,” Ricciardo instructed the UK’s Sky Sports activities F1.
“To see the chequered flag, to be within the factors, to carry off Vettel for the final 10 or so laps, that was enjoyable.”
Ricciardo leaves McLaren after two seasons with the British outfit and is rumoured to be headed again to Crimson Bull in 2023 as a reserve driver.
He has accomplished 232 F1 races since debuting in 2011, profitable eight grands prix.
The Australian mentioned his rumoured transfer again to Crimson Bull as a reserve driver would be the almost definitely consequence for him in 2023, however it’s not official.
“That [Red Bull] is the extremely probably place for me,” he mentioned.
“I can not say 100 per cent till issues are signed off, however that is definitely what’s closest now.”
Out in entrance, Verstappen made it three consecutive wins in Abu Dhabi, changing pole place right into a single-season file fifteenth race win.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was capable of maintain on for second place as Crimson Bull’s Sergio Perez ran out of laps on more energizing tyres.
The outcome means Leclerc completed second within the championship, forward of Perez.
“What a tremendous season we have had. Unbelievable,” Verstappen mentioned over his crew radio.
There was loads of ceremony initially of the race as Vettel was given a guard of honour from his fellow drivers.
Vettel introduced his retirement from F1 earlier within the yr in his first-ever put up on Instagram, after famously being one of many few sporting superstars to not be on social media.
It appeared as if Vettel would end exterior of the factors in his last race, however a late retirement by Mercedes Lewis Hamilton allowed the German to attain one final world championship level.
“I want it had been a few extra factors, however I loved the race,” he mentioned earlier than paying a pleasant praise to Ricciardo.
“I had a pleasant battle with Daniel [Ricciardo] however I simply could not get shut sufficient.
“It was good with him to struggle the final couple of laps and each of us ending within the factors.”
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