Despite Daniel Ricciardo's strategic fastest lap angering his former team McLaren on Sunday, Zak Brown expressed sympathy for the Australian driver.
The RB driver was visibly emotional after qualifying in Singapore, with tears forming in his eyes as he realised it could very well be the last time he stepped out of an F1 car following a grand prix.
"There's a lot of emotions because I'm aware this could be it," said the 35-year-old.
Even McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who cut Ricciardo's contract short in 2022, acknowledged the sadness surrounding the situation.
"I hope it's not his last race," Brown shared with Sky Deutschland. "He's a great person and gave me my first victory in Formula 1."
The entire paddock was aware that Ricciardo's fastest lap, secured on fresh tyres towards the end of the race, was a strategic move to assist Red Bull Racing in minimising the points gap to Lando Norris.
Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies, however, explained the team's desire to give Ricciardo a special moment on a race timesheet.
"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," Mekies said in the official post-race press release.
Ricciardo himself jokingly remarked: "If Max wins the world championship by one point, I'm sure I'll get a nice Christmas present from him."
Verstappen, who enjoys a strong friendship with the eight-time GP winner, said: "I have to thank Daniel for that."
"He's a great person, and when I have retired in a few years, we will look back on our time in Formula 1 with a beer. He will be remembered as a great driver," Verstappen added.
Despite the emotional race, Ricciardo's exit from the sport has yet to be confirmed.
"There's a chance you won't see me in Austin," he hinted. "Austin is my second home, so we'll see. I know that an official decision is coming."
"I expect that news soon, now that the weekend is over," Ricciardo noted.
Prior to the Singapore GP, Ralf Schumacher suggested he knew Ricciardo's last race was approaching. "We will announce the decision after Singapore," Dr Helmut Marko emphasised.
"Ralf Schumacher almost declared himself to be our press spokesman, but I can't officially answer that at the moment. Again, the decision is after Singapore," Marko clarified.
Meanwhile, Liam Lawson is likely preparing for his return to the grid for the US GP. "We have given so many young drivers great opportunities over the years," Christian Horner stated.
"We want to take the time to consider what our options are for the future."
