Teammates to Friends: Ricciardo and Verstappen's Journey

Ricciardo and Verstappen A Bond Forged at Red Bull

Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen reflect on their strong friendship, which began during their time as teammates at Red Bull, and how mutual respect helped it grow over the years.

Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen were teammates at Red Bull for nearly three seasons, and they have remained friends since. The three-time world champion reflects on how their relationship developed over time and also praises the Australian’s talent.

“Daniel and I, of course, have known each other for a long time,” Verstappen said. “We’ve always had a great relationship, a great friendship, a lot of respect for each other as well, and he’s just a great guy. We get along well, it just clicked between us.”

“There’s no pretense, we get along well, and we’re both easygoing, that’s just how we are. He’ll definitely be remembered as a very fast driver, I think everyone knows that, but also as a great guy in the paddock.”

Ricciardo himself praised the relationship he had with Verstappen: “It’s a funny thing because, as teammates, you get to know each other better. You spend so much time together, you see all the data, you see everything. From a professional standpoint, you can get inside each other’s heads.”

“I know how he thinks, he knows how I think, it’s kind of like an intimacy. Obviously, after my time at Red Bull, he went on and won championships. I think back then, we had such a rivalry, but also real respect. I think we truly appreciated each other, and that turned into such a respect.”

The recently sidelined driver has only compliments for his former teammate, including on a personal level: “I think Max has become a great driver, but also a very mature young man. He has always been very appreciative of our friendship and support.”

“Even after Japan this year, I was getting a lot of criticism, and he was one of the only ones to send me a message saying, ‘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.”