Ricciardo Praised by Verstappen in Red Bull....

Ricciardo Praised by Verstappen in Red Bull….read more

Daniel Ricciardo has received an unexpected endorsement from his former teammate Max Verstappen, who recently revealed in an interview that Ricciardo was the best teammate he ever had during his Red Bull career. The praise comes as Ricciardo’s F1 future remains uncertain, following his disappointing exit from the 2024 season.

Ricciardo, who rejoined the Red Bull family in 2023, has faced a challenging period in his Formula 1 career. The Australian driver’s return was initially viewed as a hopeful opportunity, especially after Red Bull’s ongoing struggles with Sergio Perez. Ricciardo, a fan favorite and former race winner with the team, was seen as a potential candidate to replace Perez, should the Mexican driver’s performance continue to falter.

However, despite Ricciardo’s return to the fold, the 35-year-old’s performances fell short of expectations. His most disappointing race came at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, where Ricciardo finished in P18, placing him last of the remaining runners. This result marked a significant low point in what had been a difficult season for the Aussie. While Ricciardo’s performances had been inconsistent throughout 2024, it was after the Singapore Grand Prix that he was officially dropped by Red Bull and replaced by Liam Lawson, who had impressed during his time as a stand-in driver for the team.

Although Ricciardo’s recent performances have not showcased his full potential, Verstappen’s recent comments highlight the Australian’s earlier influence and value as a teammate. Verstappen, who has been with Red Bull since 2016, has seen a variety of drivers come and go, including Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Perez. However, Verstappen’s dominance over all of these teammates has been notable, leading many to wonder if any of them were truly able to challenge him.

In a recent interview with Swiss outlet Blick, Verstappen took a moment to reflect on his time alongside various teammates, and when asked about his best team-mate, he singled out Ricciardo. Verstappen noted that Ricciardo was the teammate from whom he learned the most during their time together at Red Bull between 2016 and 2018. This period was marked by fierce internal competition, as Ricciardo, known for his aggressive driving style and racecraft, frequently matched Verstappen in terms of pace and race results.

“I definitely learned the most from Daniel Ricciardo,” Verstappen stated. “When we were teammates, we were quite evenly matched, and I was able to absorb a lot from his experience and incorporate it into my own approach to racing.” Verstappen’s comments not only praise Ricciardo’s skill on track but also underscore the respect he had for his former teammate during a time when both drivers were pushing each other to their limits.

The relationship between Ricciardo and Verstappen during their Red Bull partnership was often seen as a competitive yet respectful one. While Verstappen emerged as the team’s lead driver after Ricciardo’s departure in 2018, Ricciardo’s presence at Red Bull was pivotal in shaping Verstappen’s development. The duo’s battles on track, including notable wheel-to-wheel duels, were a highlight of Red Bull’s golden era in the late 2010s.

Ricciardo’s brief departure from F1 in 2024, after a disappointing stint with AlphaTauri, left many wondering if he would ever return to the top tier of the sport. His return to the Red Bull fold in 2023, initially as a reserve driver, had reignited hopes of a potential comeback to the front of the grid. However, Ricciardo’s inability to regain the form that had made him one of F1’s top drivers in the mid-2010s raised questions about his future in the sport.

Max Verstappen’s praise, however, serves as a reminder of Ricciardo’s past brilliance and highlights the mark he left on Red Bull. It also offers a glimmer of hope for Ricciardo’s F1 career, suggesting that his value within the Red Bull family goes beyond just his driving performance. Although the prospect of Ricciardo returning to a full-time seat at Red Bull remains uncertain, Verstappen’s acknowledgment of his former teammate’s contribution to his own development speaks volumes about the impact Ricciardo had during their time together.

In the ever-competitive world of Formula 1, where teammates often become fierce rivals, Verstappen’s comments about Ricciardo underscore the mutual respect that existed between them. Despite Ricciardo’s struggles in recent years, Verstappen’s recognition of his talents serves as a reminder of the high regard in which the Australian was once held. For Ricciardo, this praise from one of F1’s current superstars may provide some encouragement as he navigates the uncertain waters of his future in the sport.