The roar of respect echoes through the paddock as Daniel Ricciardo, the 'Honey Badger' himself, tips his hat to former teammate Max Verstappen, anointing him as one of Formula 1's all-time greats. This isn't just casual praise; it's a profound acknowledgment from one intensely competitive driver to another, highlighting a talent that continues to rewrite the record books.
Key Takeaways from Ricciardo's Insights:
- Max Verstappen is destined to be recognized as "one of the best ever" in F1.
- Daniel Ricciardo deeply admires Red Bull Racing's audacious achievement in developing its own power units.
- The Red Bull Powertrains project, backed by Ford, secured a phenomenal win in its debut season.
- Ricciardo fondly recalls his fierce, yet beneficial, rivalry with Verstappen during their Red Bull years.
Ricciardo on Verstappen: A GOAT in the Making
For three electrifying seasons, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen were arguably the most formidable — and volatile — pairing on the F1 grid. Their time together at Red Bull from 2016 to 2018 was defined by breathtaking wheel-to-wheel combat, pushing both drivers to their absolute limits. Now, years later, Ricciardo reflects on that period with genuine fondness.
"I look back on my time as team-mates with Max very fondly; it was a cool time," Ricciardo shared on the Cars and Culture with Jason Stein podcast. He readily admits the intense rivalry fueled their progression: "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." The Australian's prediction for Verstappen's legacy is unequivocal: "He's going to go down as one of the best ever, no doubt about it. He's an insane talent."
Red Bull's Power Play: A Feat of Engineering Brilliance
Beyond Verstappen's individual brilliance, Ricciardo expresses sheer disbelief and admiration for Red Bull Racing's audacious venture into building its own power units. The Red Bull Powertrains project, launched with the support of Ford Racing, achieved a sensational victory in its very first season at the Bahrain Grand Prix – a race that, due to unique circumstances, was held at the iconic Sepang International Circuit.
This win held special significance for Ricciardo, who himself triumphed at Sepang in the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix, leading a Red Bull 1-2 finish over Verstappen. "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 marvelled. He added, "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."
A Bond Beyond the Paddock
Despite no longer being teammates, the connection between Ricciardo and his former team remains strong. As an ambassador for Ford, Ricciardo is now indirectly part of the Red Bull Powertrains success story. After the historic win at Sepang, he wasted no time reaching out.
"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," he revealed. This gesture underscores the mutual respect and camaraderie that defines the upper echelons of Formula 1. With Verstappen continuing to dominate – adding wins in Singapore and Mexico and sitting second in the drivers' standings – Red Bull's future, powered by its own vision, looks brighter than ever.
