Daniel Ricciardo reflects on Red Bull exit and Max Verstappen 'obliteration' risk

Daniel Ricciardo has admitted his decision to leave Red Bull in 2018 is the biggest 'what if' of his career, while also acknowledging that staying could have led to him being "obliterated" by the rising force of teammate Max Verstappen. The now-retired Australian driver, who ended his F1 tenure in 2024, questioned whether his career might have ended even sooner had he remained to battle the Dutchman within the same team.

Why it matters:

Ricciardo's departure from Red Bull marked a pivotal turning point for both drivers' careers. While Verstappen evolved into a four-time world champion with the team, Ricciardo's subsequent moves to Renault and McLaren saw his performance and reputation fade. His candid reflection highlights the high-stakes gamble of driver moves in F1 and the immense pressure of being paired with a generational talent like Verstappen during his ascent.

The details:

• In an interview with The Athletic, Ricciardo directly addressed the perennial question about his Red Bull exit, stating, "That's one where I'm like, I don't know — I don't know if that was the right decision."
• He revealed a fear that wasn't about competition, but team dynamics. "I was more concerned about the team dynamic more than running from a fight," he said, pushing back against the narrative that he fled a direct rivalry.
• Ricciardo conceded the very real possibility that Verstappen's trajectory would have overwhelmed him. "There's also a scenario where Max just obliterated me as the years went on, and maybe my career ended even quicker," he admitted.
• Despite this, he emphasized that at the time of his departure, they were closely matched. "At the time, I was competitive with Max, and we were pushing each other really well," said the nine-time Grand Prix winner.

What's next:

Now in a brand ambassador role with Ford and officially retired from F1, Ricciardo's perspective comes with the clarity of hindsight. His career arc serves as a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the sport. While he ponders the alternative path at Red Bull, his story underscores the difficult calculations drivers must make between immediate team environment and long-term competitive prospects, especially when a teammate like Verstappen is involved.