Max Verstappen is open to a return of Daniel Ricciardo
Max Verstappen is happy to see Daniel Ricciardo back in the Formula 1 paddocks. The double world champion is ready to reunite with the Australian as a teammate in the future.
Leader of the world championship with a 99-point lead over his closest rival, Max Verstappen would be open to a return of his former teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, at the same team.
The Dutchman would be ready to fight again with Daniel Ricciardo as a teammate. The two-time world champion did not want the eight-time Grand Prix winner to leave. « I never wanted him to leave. We get along very well, and if Daniel succeeds where he is, he will of course have the opportunity to return to Red Bull, so everything is open », explains Max Verstappen in a press conference.
Friend with Nyck de Vries
The Australian will make his big comeback this weekend as a full-time driver. The former McLaren driver replaces Nyck de Vries behind the wheel of AlphaTauri. The departure of the Formula E champion saddens the two-time world champion.
« On the other hand, I am a good friend of Nyck, so it is also sad to see him go. Unfortunately, that’s how the world of Formula 1 works. I don’t think there is any animosity between the drivers. The opportunity arises again with Daniel, he had his little reset, so I think he is ready to start again », says the current world championship leader.
Daniel Ricciardo would reportedly aim to return to Red Bull in 2025, Christian Horner announced.
During Daniel Ricciardo’s last season with Red Bull, the Australian had Dutch driver Max Verstappen as his garage neighbor. An encounter largely dominated by the Dutchman. Both drivers had two victories each that season (Bahrain and Spain for Daniel Ricciardo, Austria and Mexico for Max Verstappen).
The duel during their last season at Red Bull
The current world champion dominated his teammate by 80 points in the final standings. The usual number 33 (when Max Verstappen doesn’t win the world championship) has outperformed the eight-time Grand Prix winner in all areas.
In qualifying, the driver got the upper hand on the Australian (15 to 6) even though Daniel Ricciardo scored two pole positions. In the race as well, Max Verstappen finished more often ahead of his teammate. The Dutch driver finished ahead of Daniel Ricciardo 14 times, while Ricciardo only finished in a better position 5 times.
