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Ricciardo on Verstappen Red Bull reunion
Daniel Ricciardo recently shared about reuniting with his former Red Bull team-mate, Max Verstappen, whom he first raced alongside when Verstappen made his F1 debut at the age of 17 in 2016, replacing Daniil Kvyat mid-season. Verstappen’s swift success, becoming the youngest race winner in F1, led to a competitive dynamic with Ricciardo, who was the number one driver at Red Bull at the time. Ricciardo eventually left Red Bull in 2018, hoping to lead Renault, but his career took an unexpected turn.
Despite the on-track rivalry, Ricciardo and Verstappen maintained a positive relationship off the track, earning a place as a beloved driver duo in F1 history. Fans eagerly anticipated their reunion after Ricciardo retired in 2025, and it finally happened as they met ahead of Red Bull’s 2026 season launch in partnership with Ford. Verstappen, picking up Ricciardo’s number three car, expressed gratitude for the gesture, with Ricciardo happily passing on the number.
Their recent meeting in Austin highlighted the camaraderie between the two drivers, with Ricciardo reflecting on the significance of transferring his number to Verstappen and the shared history they have with their fans. The exchange of numbers symbolized a continuation of their legacy as respected F1 drivers, with Verstappen choosing to utilize Ricciardo’s former number in the upcoming season.
