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

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