Four-time world champion Max Verstappen reflects on his toughest battles and reveals that Daniel Ricciardo, his former Red Bull teammate, was the fiercest rival he faced within the same garage.
Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time Formula 1 world champion, has gone head-to-head with numerous talented teammates throughout his career. However, when asked about his toughest rival within the same team, Verstappen didn’t hesitate to name Daniel Ricciardo as the standout.
The Verstappen-Ricciardo era at Red Bull
Verstappen joined Red Bull Racing midway through the 2016 season and immediately made his mark by winning his debut race with the team in Spain. Paired with Daniel Ricciardo, the duo quickly became a fan favorite, known not only for their on-track competitiveness but also for their camaraderie and “bromance” moments off the circuit.
Between 2016 and 2018, Ricciardo gave Verstappen a run for his money, narrowly losing the head-to-head points tally during their partnership. The Australian driver’s consistency, racecraft, and fearless overtaking earned him immense respect from Verstappen, who admitted that Ricciardo pushed him to elevate his own performance.
“Clearly Daniel Ricciardo. I was able to learn the most from him. I absorbed a lot and incorporated it into my experiences,” Verstappen shared when reflecting on his strongest teammate.
The split and divergent paths
The 2018 season marked a turning point as Ricciardo decided to leave Red Bull for Renault (now Alpine), ending a dynamic partnership. While Ricciardo sought new opportunities, Verstappen remained loyal to Red Bull—a decision that eventually paid off with four world titles.
Unfortunately, Ricciardo’s move to Enstone was the beginning of a challenging phase in his career. After a stint with Renault, he joined McLaren, where he struggled to find consistent form and was eventually released. Now retired from full-time racing, Ricciardo’s career contrasts starkly with Verstappen’s meteoric rise.
Verstappen’s historic dominance
Since his maiden championship victory in 2021, Verstappen has become the dominant force in Formula 1, amassing four world titles and establishing himself as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Reflecting on his incredible journey, the Dutchman expressed pride in his achievements but emphasized that he’s far from done.
“Crazy, but of course I’m proud, and now I want the fifth title,” Verstappen said, eyeing another championship in the upcoming 2025 season.
A new challenge ahead
While Verstappen’s past battles have shaped him into the champion he is today, the 2025 season presents a new challenge. Red Bull’s dominance has been challenged by a resurgent McLaren, which has overtaken the Milton Keynes-based team in the performance charts.
The English team’s newfound edge could make Verstappen’s fifth title defense one of the toughest of his career, as the wind now appears to favor McLaren’s camp.
Legacy forged through rivalry
As Verstappen prepares for the next chapter, his journey highlights the role that fierce rivalries and strong teammates play in shaping a champion. Ricciardo’s influence on Verstappen’s early career is undeniable, and their time together at Red Bull remains one of the most memorable partnerships in recent F1 history.
Whether Verstappen can add another title to his already illustrious career remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the lessons he learned from racing alongside Daniel Ricciardo will continue to serve him well.
