Ricciardo on rivalry with Verstappen: "Wanted to end each other's career"

Red Bull Racing have struggled to find a second driver to keep up with Max Verstappen since the departure of Daniel Ricciardo. Ricciardo is pleased that he has been able to push Verstappen to his limits and he feels the mutual respect has grown since then.

"Since I’ve left, the other drivers have come through and him having different teammates, I think it’s probably increased his respect for me even more," the Australian said in an interview with Square Mile. "I mean we never hated each other, we just wanted to end each other’s careers! It’s as simple as that.”

Although Ricciardo points out that it is easier to be friendly with Verstappen now that the two are no longer direct rivals, he still denies that he ran away from the fight with the Dutchman. He said he was simply ready for a fresh start. His successors are proving that what he showed at Red Bull is not a given.

"I would say that those outside of the team maybe underestimated what Max and I did to each other, to push each other to that level. And yes, obviously, Pierre or Alex, couldn’t get on top of that. Or at least not soon enough," Ricciardo said.