Max Verstappen believes the end of Daniel Ricciardo’s journey with VCARB in F1 “could have been handled a little differently”.
Verstappen and Ricciardo have built a very good relationship since their years spent at Red Bull between 2016 and 2018, before the Perth native joined Renault.
So, when the ousting of the Australian appeared certain in the eyes of Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver would have liked to see a good outing for his ex-teammate in Singapore.
However, although Ricciardo’s fate appeared to be sealed, it was not made official during the weekend fought on the streets of Singapore, somewhat spoiling the Australian’s farewell.
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Verstappen: Ricciardo “deserves a great outing”
Max Verstappen therefore expressed his disappointment with the management of this case by Red Bull, believing that Ricciardo, 257 Grands Prix for eight victories in F1, deserved “a great outing”.
“I think it was clear to me that for Daniel it was his last race, and from my side I think it could have been handled a little differently,” Verstappen said in Austin.
“But also for him, because if he can’t handle it and say it exactly, it’s a bit of a shame, he’s done a lot for F1. He’s won races, he’s had incredible races and he deserves, let’s say, a great outing.”
Without any real celebration around his last race at VCARB and probably in F1, Daniel Ricciardo will be able to console himself with the best lap obtained and a little help to his friend, Max Verstappen.
Indeed, the Australian signing the fastest lap had therefore stolen the point awarded until then to Lando Norris, Verstappen’s rival for the title, the latter even thanking Ricciardo on the radio. This situation had also created a controversy, Red Bull being accused of using its small team to help the big one.
This Thursday, it was confirmed that this point awarded for the best lap in a race will be removed for the 2025 season.
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