F1 News
Ricciardo addresses incident between Verstappen and Norris
- Jeroen Immink
It was the talk of the week after the Austrian Grand Prix: the incident between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at the Red Bull Ring. The two drivers who were once good friends now seem to be going down the same path as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. According to Daniel Ricciardo, this incident will be incredibly blown up.
"I think I am clear. I'll be honest, I saw the fight, but I didn't see anything of the aftermath of what was said and what was not said," Ricciardo told press including GPblog at Silverstone. "I don't know, I assume they probably blew it up because it's obviously a battle for leadership and once friends, now enemies. That's probably what's going on," the Australian said.
Drivers are not friends on the track
Ricciardo stresses that when the Formula One driver puts on his helmet, friendships will be secondary. "You fight for a win, then you are going to fight harder than for 15th place. Because that's how it is. So I think it's to be expected. I'm not saying everything was right and by the book. Yes, maybe some things were a bit excessive. They're going to talk about it because it's for profit. And as I said, they will probably try to make enemies out of two guys who get along well. I honestly think it is good that there is a hard fight for leadership. And unfortunately that's how it ended for them. But that's the way it goes," Ricciardo added.
Ricciardo on battles with Verstappen
Ricciardo knows better than anyone what it is like to race against Verstappen. The 35-year-old RB driver describes Verstappen as a tough opponent. "We know that from day one, Max has always had his elbows out. And I think by nature and by his DNA, he's just a hard racer. He doesn't really have to dig deep for it. That's just how he races. It's unconditional with him that you get a tough fight. It doesn't necessarily change the way you race against him. You just know you have to make a really good move and make sure he sticks. I think Lando learned that on Saturday."
Ricciardo has been a teammate of both Verstappen, and Norris in the past. With the Dutchman, Ricciardo has always had a good relationship, but there was sporadic friction. In Hungary 2017, Verstappen drove into Ricciardo's car, causing the Australian to retire. Ricciardo then raised his middle finger to Verstappen at the Hungaroring. And at the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Verstappen and Ricciardo crashed hard in Turn 1, causing both Red Bulls to retire.