Max Verstappen believes that Daniel Ricciardo deserves to be remembered as a “great driver” amid the news that he has lost his Formula 1 drive with RB mid-season.
Rumours in the Singapore paddock last weekend indicated that Ricciardo had completed his last race and RB has since announced Liam Lawson as his replacement.
The New Zealander, who has been given a deal until the season’s end, is now in a position to prove himself worthy of a full-time seat at either of Red Bull’s two teams.
READ MORE: Liam Lawson to replace Daniel Ricciardo at RB for remainder of F1 2024
However, Ricciardo’s time in the sport looks to have come to an end as the eight-time F1 race winner has admitted his comeback was based around a Red Bull return.
Verstappen, who spent almost three full seasons as Ricciardo’s team-mate from 2016 to 2018, paid tribute to him in the immediate aftermath of the Singapore round.
The Dutchman also showed gratitude for Ricciardo grabbing the fastest lap in the race, taking the one extra point his title rival Lando Norris would have received for it.
“I mean, of course, today I have to thank him for the fastest lap!” he told Sky Sports F1.
“He’s a great guy, honestly. We always had a great relationship. We had a sporting rivalry in the team, he will be remembered as a great driver, as a great person also.
“I think he has a great character, I think it’s very rare if someone hates him.
I think also, in a few years’ time when I won’t be here anymore, we’ll sit back and look back at all those years together, and we’ll have a beer together.”
Verstappen insists Ricciardo will be remembered
Despite the clashes that the two endured as team-mates, Verstappen has maintained a good relationship with Ricciardo and reaffirmed that he will not be forgotten.
“It just clicks, you know? There’s no fake person, we just get along and easy-going, we’re like that,” he added.
“He will for sure be remembered as a very fast driver, I think everyone knows that, but also as a great guy in the paddock.”
READ MORE: How Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 rivals reacted to his mid-season axe
