Max Verstappen, whose final race with VCARB was the Singapore Grand Prix, paid homage to Daniel Ricciardo for his Formula 1 career and their friendship.
For the remainder of the 2024 Formula One season, Liam Lawson will take Ricciardo’s seat, possibly signaling the end of the 35-year-old’s Formula One career.
Max Verstappen honors the “great guy” and the “very fast” Daniele Ricciardo
From 2016 until Ricciardo left Red Bull to join Renault at the end of 2018, Verstappen and Ricciardo were teammates. The Australian then drove for McLaren before rejoining the Red Bull team.
Though Ricciardo acknowledged in Singapore that his “fairy tale ending,” which he believed would involve rejoining the “senior” Red Bull squad to accompany Verstappen, did not come to pass, PlanetF1.com understands that the Australian is still unsure about the possibility of serving as a third driver.
Talk at Marina Bay had been all about how this might be Ricciardo’s final race with VCARB; the Australian seemed tearful as he spoke to reporters following the checkered flag.
Nevertheless, the three-time defending world champion made his own tribute and expressed excitement for the day when, after they have both retired, they may reflect on their time spent in the sport together.
When asked about his feelings toward Ricciardo during the Singapore race, Verstappen said, “I mean, of course, today I have to thank him for the fastest lap!
To be honest, he’s a fantastic man. We’ve always had a wonderful relationship, you know. In addition to being a fantastic driver, he will be remembered for his rivalry in sports with the team.
“I believe he has a wonderful character, and it’s rare that someone despises him,” I believe that after I leave in a few years, we’ll take a seat back, reflect on the years we spent together, and share a beer.
Regarding their connection to Sky F1, he continued, “It just clicks, you know? There isn’t a false person among us; we’re just kind and laid back.
“I think everyone knows that he is a very fast driver, but he was also a great guy in the paddock,” the speaker said.
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