<p>Singapore: RB principal Laurent Mekies has fuelled speculation that Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix was <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/daniel-ricciardo">Daniel Ricciardo</a>'s Formula One farewell by saying it was the reason the team gave the Australian a chance to set fastest lap.</p><p>"Given this may have been Daniel's last race, we wanted to give him the chance to savour it and go out with the fastest lap," he said.</p><p>That lap, at the end of the race, was understandable if controversial as it denied McLaren's title contender and race winner Lando Norris a point in the battle with Red Bull's Max Verstappen.</p><p>It meant Verstappen left Singapore 52 points ahead rather than 51.</p><p>The drivers for Red Bull and sister team RB are all under contract to the energy drink company, owners of both outfits.</p><p>Former McLaren driver Ricciardo was 18th so did not benefit from the extra point, which can only be taken by a driver finishing in the top 10.</p>.Verstappen must do 'work of public interest' after swearing.<p>Verstappen thanked Ricciardo after the race for the assistance.</p><p>McLaren boss Andrea Stella was clearly unhappy with the situation but stopped short of accusing rivals of collusion.</p><p>"At no point do I have elements now to say Racing Bulls went for the fastest lap to support Red Bull, I just find it a little peculiar. I did not see it coming," said the Italian.</p><p>"I was a little surprised that the highest priority of Racing Bull's racing in Singapore was to go and score the fastest lap of the race.</p><p>"At the same time, I have so much sympathy, support and friendship with Daniel that I'm just happy that he may add this fastest lap to his track record."</p><p>Red Bull boss Christian Horner said Ricciardo "obviously wanted to finish the race on a high".</p><p>The Australian is now expected to make way for New Zealander Liam Lawson, with RB yet to confirm who will partner Yuki Tsunoda next year.</p><p>"We've now got a period of time where we'll evaluate all of the relative performances of all of the drivers. It's a natural break in the season to reflect on that," said Horner.</p><p>"There's a bigger picture obviously beyond Daniel so he's just one part of the jigsaw. I think that we know Daniel very well, we know what he's capable of, how he drives a car so we have that knowledge."</p><p>The next race is in Austin, Texas, on October 20.</p>
<p>Singapore: RB principal Laurent Mekies has fuelled speculation that Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix was <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/daniel-ricciardo">Daniel Ricciardo</a>'s Formula One farewell by saying it was the reason the team gave the Australian a chance to set fastest lap.</p><p>"Given this may have been Daniel's last race, we wanted to give him the chance to savour it and go out with the fastest lap," he said.</p><p>That lap, at the end of the race, was understandable if controversial as it denied McLaren's title contender and race winner Lando Norris a point in the battle with Red Bull's Max Verstappen.</p><p>It meant Verstappen left Singapore 52 points ahead rather than 51.</p><p>The drivers for Red Bull and sister team RB are all under contract to the energy drink company, owners of both outfits.</p><p>Former McLaren driver Ricciardo was 18th so did not benefit from the extra point, which can only be taken by a driver finishing in the top 10.</p>.Verstappen must do 'work of public interest' after swearing.<p>Verstappen thanked Ricciardo after the race for the assistance.</p><p>McLaren boss Andrea Stella was clearly unhappy with the situation but stopped short of accusing rivals of collusion.</p><p>"At no point do I have elements now to say Racing Bulls went for the fastest lap to support Red Bull, I just find it a little peculiar. I did not see it coming," said the Italian.</p><p>"I was a little surprised that the highest priority of Racing Bull's racing in Singapore was to go and score the fastest lap of the race.</p><p>"At the same time, I have so much sympathy, support and friendship with Daniel that I'm just happy that he may add this fastest lap to his track record."</p><p>Red Bull boss Christian Horner said Ricciardo "obviously wanted to finish the race on a high".</p><p>The Australian is now expected to make way for New Zealander Liam Lawson, with RB yet to confirm who will partner Yuki Tsunoda next year.</p><p>"We've now got a period of time where we'll evaluate all of the relative performances of all of the drivers. It's a natural break in the season to reflect on that," said Horner.</p><p>"There's a bigger picture obviously beyond Daniel so he's just one part of the jigsaw. I think that we know Daniel very well, we know what he's capable of, how he drives a car so we have that knowledge."</p><p>The next race is in Austin, Texas, on October 20.</p>