The result will perhaps do nothing to quell the rumours circulating over Ricciardo’s future at RB, with speculation over the possibility of his seat at the squad being taken by reserve driver Liam Lawson, who has been watching on in the garage during the weekend in Singapore.
There have even been suggestions of this potentially being Ricciardo’s last Grand Prix should the team opt to draft in Lawson for the final six races of the campaign.
PADDOCK INSIDER: Why Ricciardo’s future in the Red Bull family looks unstable as the threat of Lawson looms
Speaking further to Sky Sports F1 after qualifying, Ricciardo was asked how easy it had been to block the talk out, as well as being quizzed on what his mindset would be entering into Sunday.
The RB driver jokingly referenced Max Verstappen’s recent punishment for using bad language during a press conference when he responded: “Hmmm, I’ll get a day of community service if I swear, so let’s leave it there.”
