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On August 3, 2018 Daniel Ricciardo formally announced he was leaving Red Bull Racing to join Renault.
Christian Horner knew before the announce.
Sebastian Buemi knew before the announce.
There was just one issue.
The person who was closest to Daniel, didn’t know.
Max Verstappen.
He found out the hard way.
August, 2018.
The Red Bull team was at a hotel in Las Vegas for a PR tour, the trip was supposed to be a few weeks long before flying back to Belgium for the Grand Prix. It was supposed to be a fun trip even with insufferable interviews. Daniel didn’t announce his departure from Red Bull during any interviews, instead the world found out through an article F1 put out.
Poor Max. They were best friends. Max already has his issues with Leclerc, this is the last thing he needs. Sure, Max isn’t the best teammate. He’s just a kid. Did jealousy play a part in this?
Verstappen can’t control the spotlight on him.
Sure, the team was an ‘intense environment’, but why give up success for feelings?
August 2, 2018. 9:33 P.M.
Max finds out Daniel is leaving. Not even thirty seconds ago, he was writing up a text to Daniel with a picture of them saying how excited he was to be teammates again in 2019. Max felt something he hadn’t felt in years, sadness maybe? Or anger. Potentially even both, did it matter? It’s his best friend leaving the team, of course he’ll be upset. So, like anyone would, Max forced his shoes on and sprinted out of his hotel room.
You could’ve almost mistaken him for a track athlete.
Max ran up to Daniel’s room and banged on that door. He didn’t care that it was late.
Daniel opened the door, “Max?” Max practically barged in. “You’re leaving Red Bull?! Why?” Daniel was taken aback, “Max I need you to listen to me-“ “No! You can’t just leave! We were supposed to win a WDC together, and Constructors, and everything else there is to win in this stupid motorsport!”
Daniel didn’t know what to do in that moment. “Max.” Daniel just stared at Max, “I’m just unhappy with the team. That’s all.” Max was getting more upset, but not angrier. He was on the verge of tears, “but why?! Is it me? Christian? You can’t just leave!” Daniel signed, “a little bit of everything, Max. A little bit of everything.”
That’s all Daniel had to say. Max knew what he meant. Max isn’t the type to cry, but he did cry that night. In Daniel’s arms.
Daniel announced he would leave Renault to join McLaren in May of 2020.
Then he joined McLaren.
Daniel Ricciardo left McLaren at the end of 2022. He couldn’t really adapt to the car.
Then Daniel Ricciardo joined Red Bull again. This time as a reserve driver, then a full time driver.
And Max was happy.
“It was either hit Piastri or hit the wall”
In 2024, Daniel Ricciardo competed for VCARB. It didn’t last long. He was replaced by Liam Lawson.
And at 1:46 A.M. on September 23rd, 2024 Daniel Ricciardo exited the F1 paddock what everybody believes is the last time as an F1 driver.