$50M Daniel Ricciardo jokes about Max Verstappen being 'most likely to steal lunch' as F1 season nears finale

Daniel Ricciardo joked that Max Verstappen was 'most likely to steal lunch' amidst a host of F1 drivers. Ricciardo, who is a former teammate of the Dutchman, named the latter in a media interaction ahead of the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix in Nevada this weekend.

Ricciardo and Verstappen raced together at Red Bull in the 2016 F1 season. They stayed as teammates till the end of the 2018 season, after which the Australian driver parted ways and switched to Renault.

From Renault, he moved to McLaren in 2020 before returning to Red Bull as a reserve driver in 2023. Aside from the heated 2018 season, Verstappen and Ricciardo share an amicable relationship. During their time as teammates, the duo often joked about each other and had fun as they traveled to different countries to race.

Motorsport.com recently shared a video on Instagram where Ricciardo was asked, "Who is most likely to steal lunch?". Ricciardo said:

"Is it bad I have to try and think of the drivers on the grid?" he asked, before naming the driver. "If it's the end of the season. If the season is coming to an end, I'm going to say Max."

The $50M former RB driver (according to Celebrity Net Worth) reasoned his choice, saying:

"Max is known to enjoy himself, once the season's done. Sorry Max."

Red Bull handed Daniel Ricciardo another racing opportunity after they sacked Nyck de Vries and put the former in the AlphaTauri (currently RB) seat. However, after almost a year, the Honey Badger lost his seat to Liam Lawson.

Following the conclusion of the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, Red Bull sacked Ricciardo on the pretext of lack of performance. On the other hand, Max Verstappen is approaching his fourth consecutive title as the season finale approaches.

---

Max Verstappen on his friendship with Daniel Ricciardo: "He's a great guy"

Max Verstappen opened up about his relationship with his former teammate Daniel Ricciardo in September. Ricciardo's future at RB was in doubt at the time and Verstappen touched on his time with the Aussie at Red Bull in an interview with Sky Sports F1.

"Daniel and I of course, go a long way back," Verstappen said (via F1). "We have always had a great relationship, great friendship, a lot of respect for each other as well, so he’s just a great guy. [We] get on well, it just clicks."

"There is no fake person, we just get along and are easygoing, we are like that. He will for sure be remembered as a very fast driver, I think everyone knows that, but also as a great guy in the paddock,” he added.

Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo (from Left) (Source: Getty)

Verstappen is currently competing in the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. His Free Practice outings were jeopardized after Red Bull reportedly brought in the wrong rear wings, which hampered his lap times.