Max Verstappen has expressed that Daniel Ricciardo deserved a “nicer” exit from Formula 1 than the inconspicuous one that he received at the Singapore Grand Prix.
RB announced over the autumn break the anticipated news that Ricciardo would not return to complete the remaining six rounds as Liam Lawson has taken his drive.
The Australian had conceded in the build-up to the event that there was a chance that it might be his final F1 outing and that feeling grew as the weekend progressed.
But while his comments post-race indicated that he knew that he was going to be replaced, RB waited until the next week to publish that Ricciardo would move aside.
The timing meant that Ricciardo was denied a proper farewell in the Singapore paddock, although several drivers wished him well and he was voted Driver of the Day.
Verstappen, who partnered Ricciardo at Red Bull from 2016 to 2018, has admitted the eight-time F1 race winner deserved a goodbye more befitting his achievements.
“Yeah, I mean, I think it was quite clear for me, for Daniel, that that was the last race,” Verstappen told media including Motorsport Week in Austin.
“And yeah, from my side, I think it could have been handled a bit differently.
“Also for him, because he knew it, but if you can’t say it exactly, it’s a bit of a shame, you know.
“He’s done a lot for F1, he’s won races, he has had incredible races, and yeah, I think he deserved a nicer, let’s say, exit.”
Tsunoda learnt the most from Ricciardo
Meanwhile, having been alongside the ex-Red Bull driver at RB since last season, Yuki Tsunoda heralded Ricciardo as the team-mate that he has learnt the most from.
Asked whether he’s had contact with Ricciardo since his exit, Tsunoda replied: “No, but also when we spoke after the race in Singapore, eyes to eyes.
“We said, like, ‘thank you, [we] appreciate each other’, and I was a bit emotional, to be honest.
“I think he’s been a very good team-mate and I think the driver I learn most out of any drivers, so, yeah, obviously it’s kind of his environment, it is what it is.
“I saw a couple of social media, he was wearing a hat, something like that, and he seems like enjoying the time off a little bit, but yeah, not off now.”
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