Ricciardo prepared for emotional goodbye to Red Bull

Daniel Ricciardo says he is ready for an emotional weekend in what will be his final race for Red Bull Racing. Ricciardo will join Renault alongside Nico Hulkenberg next season after four years with the four-time world champions.

In the team's race preview ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Ricciardo said he was looking forward to his last weekend with the team and that he would be targetting a podium as a goodbye gift to the team.

“Abu Dhabi has always been a pretty good track for me and I enjoy going there. I’m yet to get an Abu Dhabi podium, but that would be a pretty awesome way to end my stint with Red Bull and to end the season.

"Having a twilight race is always cool, the weather is good, so there’s not much not to like about the place. I love the third sector, it’s my favourite part of the track for sure, through the hotel and all that is good fun. Abu Dhabi marks the end of five years with the team and 10 years with Red Bull itself.

"I’m sure it’s going to be emotional afterwards, especially when I cross the line for the last time with the team. But I’m going there guns a-blazing, showing a lot of love. Hopefully the love shows me back and I can spray some fake champagne on Sunday, which would be a fitting farewell.”

2018 has been a year to forget for the Australian, after winning the Monaco Grand Prix with an ailing car, he has had little luck to speak of with regular retirements and grid penalties to contend with for the majority of the season.