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‘Two-time world champion and can’t even grow a beard!’: Daniel Ricciardo teases Max Verstappen about his lack of facial hair as Red Bull driver blames his mother – while Aussie star has a new look for US Grand Prix
- The McLaren driver personally congratulated the world champion on Thursday
- Daniel Ricciardo is on the outs after two tough seasons with the Woking team
- He has no drive set for next season and is willing to sit out 2023
- Click here for all your latest international sports news from DailyMail.com
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In what may be his last United States Grand Prix for a while, McLaren Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo finishes his time at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
At one of his favorite spots on the Formula 1 calendar, Ricciardo invaded an interview the recent world champion Max Verstappen did with Sky Sports. The Aussie hugged the Dutchman from behind before congratulating him on winning the title.
“I just messaged you, but I didn’t see you in person. It’s a little late, but congratulations,’ Ricciardo told him.
“Thanks,” Verstappen replied before pointing to the Aussie’s new facial hairstyle and asking him, “Are you okay?”
Ex-Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen (L) & Daniel Ricciardo (R) shared a moment on Thursday
That made everyone laugh, before Ricciardo replied, “Can’t you still… you can’t grow a beard yet, can you? Two-time world champion and he can’t even grow a beard.’
Max confirmed his lack of facial hair and told Ricciardo to “blame my mother.”
It has been a full week of American appreciation for the McLaren driver, who will be replaced next season by compatriot Oscar Piastri. Ricciardo has found no drive for next season and is reportedly willing to sit out the year in hopes of finding a team for 2024.
Daniel Ricciardo’s unabashed admiration for the United States is fully manifested ahead of Sunday’s US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, where the Australian driver was serenaded by a country musician as he rode a horse while driving a Stars-and- Stripes wore jacket
Ricciardo is known for his appreciation of American culture, spending his outdoor season in the US while becoming an avid NASCAR fan. Interestingly, Ricciardo may defect to NASCAR if he fails to secure a spot on the F1 grid next year, according to a piece in Australia’s Herald Sun, which states that Trackhouse Racing Project 91 boss Justin Marks will be the 33. year-old is targeted.
The Perth-born driver has admitted that his young team-mate, Lando Norris, has been better able to handle the challenges of driving a difficult McLaren this season.
“We have so much data, and I’ll be watching Lando’s onboards as well. And sometimes I’ll see what he can do, and I’ll just think, ‘Okay, I can see it, but I can’t.’ And I’m like, why won’t it just run, or do that?’ That’s what Ricciardo told The Race.
Norris is the future of F1 racing, having outclassed and outclassed Ricciardo at McLaren in 2023
“Also the race pace, that was one where normally things are balanced, if maybe you can’t get the peak in the car in one lap in qualifying, towards the race it should stabilize a little bit and still sometimes the race pace I’m about eight tenths a lap slower. And I’m like, how?
“Even in debriefings you hear from Lando ‘oh this stint of the race, I really felt the car was working there, it kind of came alive’ where I was just… I never had that feeling.
“Sometimes I’m like, there’s something going on. This is not normal.’