Daniel Ricciardo risks Max Verstappen’s wrath with thinly-veiled swipe following Dutchman’s Las Vegas Grand Prix comments… which could make for a VERY awkward Red Bull reunion
- Daniel Ricciardo lashed out at Max Verstappen
- Verstappen criticized the Las Vegas Grand Prix
- The pair could be reunited at Red Bull
Daniel Ricciardo may have some explaining to do as he makes his long-awaited Red Bull return after launching a thinly veiled attack on golden boy Max Verstappen following the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
When asked for his thoughts on the Sin City event, which divided the drivers, the Australian star said he enjoyed the spectacle.
“A few drivers have been a bit ‘whatever’ about it,” 34-year-old Ricciardo told guests during a question and answer session at the Qatar Airways Paddock Club via the New York Post.
‘I think they’re just trying to rebel. Deep down they really like it, they just don’t want to admit it,” he added.
He was then asked who he was referring to, and sarcastically replied: “(He has) a very long first name,” referring to Verstappen.
Daniel Ricciardo took a brutal swipe at Max Verstappen during the Las Vegas Grand Prix
Verstappen was an outspoken critic of the glamorous event in Sin City last weekend
Three-time world champion Verstappen has been outspoken in his criticism of the first event in Las Vegas. He insisted it’s “99 percent show, 1 percent race” and claims he would “tear the whole thing down” if he refused fans a refund after seeing just nine minutes of action on Thursday.
“I feel like a show element is important, but I miss emotion,” he said about the street circuit.
“Of course I understand that fans have something to do at the track, but it is more important that we make them understand what we do about the sport,” the three-time world champion continued.
‘I love Vegas, but not driving an F1 car; to go out, throw everything on red, whatever. But the emotion and passion are not there compared to some old-school tracks.”
Ricciardo said dissenters were only trying to ‘rebell’ against the direction of the sport
However, Verstappen sang ‘Viva Las Vegas’ as he crossed the line to take home his 18th win of the season.
Ricciardo has been strongly linked with Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull for 2024, which would be a remarkable turnaround for the Australian after being dumped by McLaren last year.
The 34-year-old has a strong relationship with Verstappen, which could be rekindled if team boss Christian Horner turns to the charismatic AlphaTauri driver again.