Max Verstappen Shares Thoughts on Daniel Ricciardo Amid F1 Exit Speculations

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Max Verstappen recently opened up about his bond with fellow Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo, as rumors swirl that the Australian may have competed in his final Formula 1 race in Singapore. Verstappen and Ricciardo shared the Red Bull garage from 2016 to 2018, forging a friendship that continues today.

Ricciardo, who returned to Red Bull's junior team last year, replaced Nyck de Vries and partnered with Yuki Tsunoda. With over a decade of experience in F1, Ricciardo was tasked with helping to boost the team's standing in the championship while also guiding Tsunoda.

Unfortunately, Ricciardo struggled to deliver significant results in the 2023 season, falling behind Tsunoda in most races. Many believed Ricciardo could have been lined up to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull, but his inconsistent performances led to Red Bull extending Perez’s contract for another two years, leaving Ricciardo without a seat for 2024.

Rumors about Ricciardo's future intensified after Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko mentioned that reserve driver Liam Lawson could be stepping into one of the seats next season. The timing of this decision was expected during the break following the Singapore Grand Prix. Fueling the speculation further, Ricciardo seemed visibly emotional after the race, sparking talk that it could have been his farewell to F1.

After the race, Verstappen, reflected on his friendship with Ricciardo, explaining why they have always connected. “Daniel and I go way back. We’ve always had a great friendship and respect for each other. He’s a really good guy,” Verstappen said. “[We] get on well, it just clicks. There is no fake person, we just get along and are easy going, we are like that. He will for sure be remembered as a very fast driver, I think everyone knows that, but also as a great guy in the paddock.”

In the closing moments of the Singapore race, Ricciardo pitted for fresh tires to chase the fastest lap, which he achieved on the final lap, snatching the bonus point from Lando Norris, who had been comfortably leading Verstappen. Though some saw it as a fitting way for Ricciardo to potentially bow out, it didn’t come without controversy. McLaren accused Red Bull of using its junior team to alter the championship fight, as the point lost by Norris meant that Verstappen could still secure the title with consistent second-place finishes, even if Norris won every remaining race.

When asked about the fastest lap situation, Verstappen calmly stated, “At the end, everyone has the opportunity to go for the fastest lap. It’s nice, of course, that that fastest lap is then in someone else’s hands.”

As the 2024 season enters its final stages, Norris sits 52 points behind Verstappen in the Drivers' Championship standings with six rounds to go.