As the dust settles on the tumultuous on-track relationship between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren driver Lando Norris, Daniel Ricciardo, Formula 1’s ever-present peacemaker, has some crucial advice for the young stars.
When Lando Norris claimed a famous maiden victory in the Miami Grand Prix, it felt as though the young British driver had finally arrived in the sport after several near-misses at the top of Formula 1. The McLaren star would go on to claim four podium finishes in his next six races, as the British racing team unlocked some much-needed pace in this year’s car and took the fight to the defending champions Red Bull.
But during the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of June 2024, the heightened rivalry by the usually amicable pairing came to a crucial blow, with Max Verstappen taking out Lando Norris while fighting for the lead at the Red Bull Ring, taking out both cars in the process… and their relationship has been on rocky ground ever since.
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Someone who is certainly no stranger to the inherent pressures of competing with Max Verstappen is Australia’s own Daniel Ricciardo, who partnered with the three-time Formula 1 world champion between 2016 and 2018.
The pair experienced similar rivalries as Norris and Verstappen do now, with Ricciardo and his Dutch teammate crashing out during the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix whilst battling for position. Both cars were forced to retire.
Of course, they now enjoy a friendship in F1 – something rare for on-track rivals – and Ricciardo has one piece of crucial advice for Lando Norris as he looks to rebuild his relationship with one of his longest friends on the grid.
WATCH Daniel Ricciardo gives Lando Norris one piece of advice after Verstappen crash below.
The crash has caused something of a rift between the pair in recent weeks, with Norris initially demanding an apology from the Red Bull driver after the incident. He has since backtracked on those comments, admitting he perhaps “overreacted” when speaking to the media immediately after the Austrian Grand Prix.
“We’ve spoken about it, we’ve talked about it, and we’re both happy to go racing again.”
Lando Norris on Verstappen
With a renewed focus on the rest of the season, the pair will be determined to continue this impressive on-track form going into the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend.