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Max Verstappen honours Daniel Ricciardo after F1 Singapore Grand Prix

Verstappen wants to return the favour to Ricciardo: 'Can ask for anything'

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  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Max Verstappen has repeated his "thank you" message to Daniel Ricciardo, after the Australian prevented the Dutchman's closest title rival Lando Norris scoring the bonus point for the fastest lap. The two F1 drivers are great friends and Verstappen looks forward to having a beer together with Ricciardo to reflect on the good memories.

What will Verstappen get Ricciardo for Christmas?

An emotional Ricciardo acknowledged that taking the fastest lap point could help Verstappen win the 2024 Formula 1 title. Lando Norris looked likely to take eight points out of Verstappen's lead until the closing stages when Ricciardo stole the bonus point. Instead, Norris has a 52-point gap to bridge with six race weekends remaining on the calendar. There is a general assumption that Ricciardo will not return to F1 when the United States Grand Prix takes place on the 20th of October.

Ricciardo hinted at getting a Christmas present from Verstappen should it help him win the title. And the Dutchman responded to the VCARB driver. "Of course today I have to thank him for the fastest lap," said Verstappen. Asked if Ricciardo can expect a nice Christmas present, the Dutchman replied, "He can ask for anything he wants."

"He's a great guy honestly. We always had a great relationship. We had a sporty rivalry in the team," Verstappen reflected on his time with Ricciardo at Red Bull Racing. "He will be remembered as a great driver, as a great person also. He has a great character. It's very rare someone hates him. I think also in a future time when I won't be here anymore, we'll sit back and look back at all those years together and we'll have a beer together."

Verstappen's response has been positive, but McLaren wants to "address" the situation. Andrea Stella said that F1 is not a "coalition championship" as he found it "peculiar" that Red Bull's sister team helped out Verstappen.

This article has been created in collaboration with Nicole Mulder