With Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from Visa RB, Max Verstappen is saying goodbye to one of his closest friends on the grid. The Dutch champion was teammates with the cheerful Australian for three years during his early years at Red Bull. Since then, the two have maintained a strong bond. Verstappen emphasizes that there are ‘still plenty of good things to come’ for Ricciardo.
“Keep your head up, mate,” Max Verstappen posted on Instagram on Thursday. “There are still plenty of good things to come.” Verstappen was indebted to Ricciardo after the Singapore GP. The Visa RB driver snatched the point for the fastest race lap at Marina Bay from Max’s title rival, Lando Norris. The Dutchman knew then that retirement was looming for Ricciardo and thanked him afterwards for his sportsmanship.
“He (Ricciardo) is a great guy,” Verstappen told Viaplay. “We’ve always had a very good relationship. He will be remembered as a great driver, but also as a great person. When I myself have also retired from Formula 1, we will have a beer together and look back on all those years together.”
A Fond Farewell
Daniel Ricciardo reflected on his journey in a social media post on Thursday, describing it as a ‘wild, beautiful, and amazing journey’. “On to a new adventure,” said the 35-year-old driver. Former teammate Lando Norris responded with a heart and the words: “I love you, mate.” He was not the only driver to express his sentiments. “New adventures are coming,” wrote Fernando Alonso, while George Russell expressed that he would ‘miss Ricciardo very much’.
Esteban Ocon, who was Ricciardo’s teammate at Renault in 2020, wrote on social media that he learned a lot from the Australian. “You are a top guy,” said the Frenchman. “You can be proud of what you have achieved. I am sure you will find new successes in the future.” Finally, Lewis Hamilton also posted an emotional message on Instagram. The Englishman has been able to compete with Ricciardo since 2011.
“It was an honor to fight against you all these years,” wrote the seven-time world champion. “I will never forget the battles, the laughter, and drinking from your shoe. It was disgusting, but I’m glad I got to do it with you, mate. You’ve always been yourself and did everything with a big smile. I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do next. I’m always here for you.”
