Max Verstappen has expressed his dissatisfaction with how Red Bull and Visa RB bid farewell to Daniel Ricciardo. After the Singapore Grand Prix, the ever-smiling Australian was sidelined in favor of Liam Lawson. Ricciardo’s final race was far from a glorious farewell – he had to settle for the fastest lap and a standing ovation from his team. At that point, fans were not even aware that he would actually be dismissed.
Not long after, there was a lot of criticism about the limited celebrations. Didn’t Daniel Ricciardo, who has won seven Grand Prix for Red Bull in the past, deserve a more dignified farewell? Max Verstappen, who was Ricciardo’s teammate for three seasons, is also not satisfied. The Dutchman maintains a good friendship with the ‘honey badger’ and is disappointed that the team did not make more effort for his final race.
‘Deserved Better’
“For me, it was clear that he was driving his last race and for him too,” Verstappen told the media in Austin. “I think it could have been handled differently. He knew that his career would end there, but he couldn’t say it out loud. I find that regrettable.” Ricciardo was moved to tears after the Singapore Grand Prix, but couldn’t openly say that he had driven his last race.
“He has done a lot for everyone, he has even won races for Red Bull,” Verstappen continued. “He has definitely driven some amazing Grand Prix. I think he deserved a better farewell.” Ricciardo drove for Red Bull from 2014 to 2018. He then moved to Renault, unfortunately without success. A transfer to McLaren brought him one more victory in 2021, but after that, real successes were lacking.
