Key Highlights
- Daniel Ricciardo believes Max Verstappen will “go down as one of the best ever.”
- Ricciardo praised Red Bull and Ford Racing after their first-season victory with their own power-unit project.
- Verstappen has since won in Singapore and Mexico, while Red Bull has three victories to Ferrari’s two this season.
Ricciardo backs Verstappen’s legacy
Daniel Ricciardo has said Max Verstappen will “go down as one of the best ever” after reflecting on their time as Red Bull team-mates and Verstappen’s continued success in Formula 1.
Ricciardo was Verstappen’s team-mate at Red Bull from 2016 until the end of 2018. He now serves as an ambassador for Ford, whose partnership with Red Bull Powertrains made its race debut this season.
Ricciardo discussed Verstappen’s achievements on the Cars and Culture with Jason Stein podcast, recalling a period that combined close competition with a strong working relationship.
“I look back on my time as team-mates with Max very fondly; it was a cool time,” Ricciardo said on the Cars and Culture with Jason Stein podcast. “And yes, there were moments of intense rivalry and competition and all of it, but it made us push ourselves to another level. I loved that.
“Of course, he has gone on and done so much, and he’s going to go down as one of the best ever, no doubt about it. He’s an insane talent.”
Red Bull and Ford praised for first-season success
Red Bull’s first win with Ford Racing came at the Bahrain Grand Prix in October, which was moved to Sepang after the race at Sakhir was cancelled. Ricciardo contacted Verstappen and members of the Red Bull team soon after the victory.
The result carried additional significance for Ricciardo because he won the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, leading Verstappen to a Red Bull one-two finish. Ten years later, he said he remained impressed by what Red Bull had achieved with its new power-unit project.
“Every year he has been with Red Bull, he’s won a race. For them to do it, with Ford Racing this year, to come out and win… I can’t even comprehend,” he said.
“I knew a bit about the project and what they were building, but I can’t comprehend everything that has gone into it. And for them to go and win in their first season together, there is no better guy to do it than Max.”Advertisement
Verstappen adds Singapore and Mexico wins
Verstappen has since added victories in Singapore and Mexico. Those results gave Red Bull three grand prix wins this season, compared with Ferrari’s two.
Verstappen also finished second after starting 21st on the grid in Brazil on Sunday. As of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, he was second in the drivers’ standings.
Ricciardo remains in contact with Red Bull
Ricciardo left Formula 1 in 2024 and launched a collaboration between his Enchante brand and Ford Racing at the start of the year. Despite moving away from the championship, he said he continues to keep in touch with people at Red Bull.
“The whole thing has been awesome,” he said. “I sent Max and quite a few others in the team that I still talk with a message after, to share my congrats and happiness.
“It was received well; there are a lot of good people in that team.”
Why This Matters
Ricciardo’s comments highlight both Verstappen’s standing among his former team-mates and the significance of Red Bull’s early success with Ford Racing. Winning in the project’s first season represented an important milestone for the partnership, while Verstappen’s subsequent victories strengthened Red Bull’s position in the season’s grand prix win count.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Daniel Ricciardo say about Max Verstappen?
Daniel Ricciardo said Verstappen is “going to go down as one of the best ever” and described him as “an insane talent.”
When were Ricciardo and Verstappen Red Bull team-mates?
Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen were Red Bull team-mates from 2016 until the end of 2018.
How many grand prix wins did Red Bull have compared with Ferrari?
As of the reported season, Red Bull had three grand prix victories, while Ferrari had two.
