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Former teammates Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen expressed mutual admiration after the Singapore Grand Prix, where Ricciardo's potential departure from Red Bull became increasingly apparent. As the race weekend progressed, Ricciardo faced numerous questions about his future and eventually admitted in a heartfelt interview that he might be approaching the end of his Formula 1 career. Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team (RB) have announced that Australian star driver Daniel Ricciardo will be leaving the team with immediate effect. Liam Lawson the Red Bull junior driver has been announced as his replacement.
In the aftermath of the race, Verstappen paid tribute to Ricciardo's significant contributions to Formula 1, both on and off the track. He acknowledged Ricciardo's impressive career, highlighted by his eight Grand Prix victories.
Verstappen was Ricciardo's partner at Red Bull from early 2016 to 2018.
“Daniel and I of course go a long way back. We have always had a great relationship, great friendship, a lot of respect for each other as well, so he’s just a great guy.[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," Verstappen said.
“It’s a funny thing, because as teammates you just know each other more. You spend so much time together, you see all the data, you see everything. From a professional point of view, you can get inside each other’s head. I got to know how he thinks, he knows how I think, so it’s a weird like intimacy. Obviously then, after my Red Bull stint, he went on and won championships. I think at the time we had such a rivalry but also such a… I think we really enjoyed it and it became such a respect," said Ricciardo in a post-race conversation with Sky Sports F1.
Daniel also recalled Max's supportive message in the early stages of the 2024 season where he had a torrid run.
“I think Max has grown into a very, obviously a great driver, but a very mature young man. He’s always been very appreciative of our friendship and supportive. Even after Japan this year, I was getting quite a lot of stick, and he was one of the only guys who sent me a text and said, ‘Mate, keep your head up, we know what you’re capable of. Don’t listen to the noise’. So, I respect and appreciate him a lot," added Ricciardo.
