Ricciardo determined to end Red Bull F1 tenure ‘in style’

Daniel Ricciardo says he wants to end his time with the Red Bull Formula 1 team “in style” at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Australian will end his long-term relationship with Red Bull at the end of the year ahead of his surprise switch to midfield leaders Renault for 2019.

Ricciardo has endured a mixed campaign in which he managed two victories in a promising first half of the year, before seeing his latter half of 2018 hit by a plethora of reliability gremlins.

“I’m actually excited, not because it is the last one, but excited more to the thought of finishing off in style and finish off - not [with] a bang because that will sound not positive, but with high spirits,” Ricciardo explained.

“At the moment it’s more excitement, ok let’s have one last crack together, let’s enjoy one last time it’s been an awesome ride the five years.

“Use everything that we’ve got together to try and make it a successful weekend.”

Following Red Bull’s impressive performance in Brazil, Ricciardo is optimistic about his team’s chances around a circuit he feels should play to the strengths of its car.

“Looking at Brazil and the pace we had there you’d say yeah we could win here, because I always feel we are better here than Brazil At least in dry conditions,” Ricciardo said.

“But then again, we could run fifth and sixth this weekend and feel that’s the pace. It’s so hard to predict, but I’m pretty optimistic at this stage. We’ll see about a win, I’d love to say yes, but at least a podium. I think we’re in touching distance.”

Ricciardo believes a podium finish in Abu Dhabi would mean as much to him as any other in his career, given his impending departure from Red Bull and testing run of reliability woes.

“I feel it [a podium] would be as big as any other podium I have got for two reasons - because it’s my ending with the team for now, but also because of the year I’ve had,” he said.

“The only time I’ve stood there is twice and that was a win. I haven’t had any seconds or thirds.

“I think it’s been such a long time between drinks, so to speak, so that in itself would be a big moment for me, but then to close the book with Red Bull on a podium.”

There is concern for Ricciardo heading into qualifying, however, after a suspected loss of water pressure caused his RB14 to stop in the final minutes of FP3.