Verstappen's Kind Private Message to Ricciardo Reveals Their Strong Bond
F1Tuesday, 24 September 2024 at 18:00
Updated at Wednesday, 25 September 2024 at 11:23
Daniel Ricciardo shared a heartwarming story about how Max Verstappen has been there to support him during tough times in F1.
When it became clear that the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix might be Daniel Ricciardo's last F1 race, Max Verstappen shared some very kind words about his Australian friend.
The Dutchman got to know Ricciardo very well during their time together at Red Bull between 2016 and 2018, and although their relationship was very tense from time to time (as with all driver duos), they managed to maintain a great relationship.
Speaking to the media at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, the triple World Champ said about the 35-year-old Australian:
"He will be remembered as a great driver, as a great person also. He has a great character. It's very rare someone hates him. I think also in a future time when I won't be here anymore, we'll sit back and look back at all those years together, and we'll have a beer together."
Daniel Ricciardo, of course, heard everything that Verstappen said about him and said he really appreciated it. He also shared some insight into his relationship with the Dutchman, as he told Sky Sports:
Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen during the driver parade in Singapore
"It's a funny thing, because as team-mates you just know each other more. You spend so much time together."
"From a professional point of view, you can get inside each other's head. I got to know how he thinks, and he got to know how I think."
"It's a weird intimacy. We had such a rivalry, but also I think we really enjoyed it and it became such a respect."
When Ricciardo and Verstappen were first paired as teammates, the Dutchman was still incredibly young (18 years old). Eight seasons have passed since then, and he now has three Championship titles to his name. The 35-year-old continued:
"I think Max has grown into, obviously, a great driver but a very mature young man. He's always been very appreciative of our friendship and supportive."
The Honey Badger also shared a story about how his friend from Red Bull supported him throughout the tough times at the start of the 2024 season.
There were big expectations from Ricciardo, but when he scored P13, P16, P12, and DNF in the first four races of the season, he found himself in a difficult position. That was when he found support in Verstappen:
"Even after Japan (fourth race of the season) 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.' I respect and appreciate him a lot."
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