Ricciardo bids Renault au revoir in style to snatch last lap fastest lap

Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon gave Renault a last gasp bit of pleasure on the final lap of the 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as a fastest lap and a late overtake respectively earned a trio of extra points for the team.

On a day of farewells for the French firm, not only was it the final F1 race for the team under its current Renault guise before it becomes known as Alpine - in a nod to its spin-off sportscar brand - it was also the final outing for Ricciardo prior to his McLaren switch in 2021.

Though Renault's hopes of fighting it out for P3 in the constructors' standings fell short in P5 - albeit ahead of Ferrari - Ricciardo fast lap flourish in seventh and Ocon's overtake for ninth at least delivered a boost right at the end.

"I really stretched it on the last lap, and it was a nice way to do my last ever lap in the Renault," said Aussie Ricciardo. "It was good to know that it was a fast one, so a good sign off.

I think it was the maximum we could have done. Maybe without the safety car I could’ve maybe have put more pressure on the McLarens, that pitstop under the safety car bought them some time. So maybe I could’ve been closer to them at the end."

Having agreed his McLaren deal ahead of the delayed 2020 F1 season - midway through his Renault contract - Ricciardo would go on to secure a pair of podiums en route to fifth overall, his best overall finish in F1 since 2017.

"I feel fulfilled to be honest. I felt it coming into the track today actually. It was like this is it. I do. This year although shortened it was such a chaotic year. But actually a really strong one. 

"I’m really pleased how far we’ve come, both myself and the team, and fifth in the drivers’ championship, obviously there is no reward for that, but I think it speaks for itself in the turnaround we made this year."