Sports · Motorsport · 9 hrs ago
Ricciardo says Verstappen will rank among Formula 1's best ever
Daniel Ricciardo says Max Verstappen will rank among the best ever in Formula 1.
The Australian and Dutch driver were Red Bull teammates from 2016 to 2018, when Ricciardo says rivalry helped push them to improve.
Verstappen has since won four consecutive drivers' championships, from 2021 through 2024.
Ricciardo, now a Ford ambassador, praised Red Bull and Ford for winning in their first season together.
Verstappen has won three of the last five Grands Prix, including the team's first win with its new power unit at Sepang.
That result impressed Ricciardo because Red Bull built its own power units for the first time, in partnership with Ford.
Verstappen is second in the drivers' standings after finishing second in Brazil, starting from 21st on the grid.
Daniel Ricciardo says Max Verstappen will go down as one of Formula 1’s best drivers ever.
Ricciardo praised Verstappen’s talent and said their rivalry as Red Bull team-mates pushed them to a higher level.
He also praised Red Bull and Ford for winning in their first season together building power units.
Verstappen had three wins in the recent run of five Grands Prix described by Crash.net.
Ricciardo, now a Ford ambassador, said he had sent congratulations to Verstappen and people at Red Bull.
- Who
- Daniel Ricciardo praised former team-mate Max Verstappen.
- What
- Ricciardo said Verstappen will rank among the best ever and praised Red Bull’s first season with Ford power units.
- When
- The articles were published on November 10 and 11, 2026.
- Where
- The comments were made in a podcast interview, according to Motorsport.com.
- Why
- Ricciardo cited Verstappen’s talent and achievements, as well as the team’s success in its first season with Ford.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ricciardo and Verstappen were team-mates at Red Bull.
Red Bull’s first win with its own power unit and Ford partnership came at the Bahrain Grand Prix, held at Sepang after the Sakhir race was cancelled.
Verstappen added victories in Singapore and Mexico.
Verstappen finished second in Brazil after starting 21st on the grid.
- Former team-mates
- Ricciardo and Verstappen shared the Red Bull team from 2016 to 2018.
- Red Bull-Ford first win
- Bahrain Grand Prix, held at Sepang in October 2026.
- Recent victories
- Verstappen won in Bahrain, Singapore and Mexico.
- Brazil result
- Finished second after starting 21st.
- Ricciardo’s role
- Ford ambassador.
3 sources
What people are saying
he's going to go down as one of the best ever, no doubt about it.
He's an insane talent.
I can't even comprehend everything that has gone into it.