Daniel Ricciardo breaks his silence on old pal Max Verstappen and Russell’s ‘beef’ - "First time I've seen George angry"

Max Verstappen and George Russell's spat late in the season raised many eyebrows. The 4-time F1 champion called out Russell in a vicious rant after learning about the Mercedes driver's antics post-Qatar Grand Prix qualifying.

Max Verstappen's friend Daniel Ricciardo talked about the recent beef between him and Russell during his Shopify event to promote his Enchante brand. The Honeybadger was asked what he felt about the feud between the F1 drivers.

The Aussie driver said:

"It's great Television. First time I've seen George (Russell) angry."

The former Red Bull driver also had advice for Russell when asked about talking shit about Max Verstappen.

"Not at the moment. The kid's like hitting his marks, I feel like it is a tough battle to win."

Daniel Ricciardo was let go by Racing Bulls after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix and replaced by New Zealand's Liam Lawson. The former McLaren driver's F1 return did not go to plan and was cut short after a string of mediocre results. However, he finished his stint by winning the fastest lap in his final lap in Singapore.

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Daniel Ricciardo on his F1 journey - "It's wild and wonderful"

After being replaced by Liam Lawson for the remainder of the 2024 season, Daniel Ricciardo penned an emotional goodbye message for his fans and well-wishers. The 35-year-old from Perth was a fan favorite, thanks to his Drive to Survive fame and incredible skillset in his early years.

Ricciardo won 8 times in F1 including some historic wins at Monaco, Monza, etc. Moreover, he was tipped to return to the grid with F1's newest and 11th team - GM/Cadillac. However, the Australian recently shut down those rumors with a 3-word response.

The Honeybadger shared a poignant post on his IG with the caption:

"I’ve loved this sport my whole life. It’s wild and wonderful and been a journey. To the teams and individuals that have played their part, thank you. To the fans who love the sport sometimes more than me haha thank you."

He also added,

"It’ll always have its highs and lows but it’s been fun and truth be told I wouldn’t change it. Until the next adventure."

Ricciardo has been enjoying life to the fullest after leaving the grid. The Aussie driver is frequently seen cheering for the Buffalo Bills and close friend Josh Allen. Whether the former Red Bull star returns to the grid remains to be seen, but he has kept himself busy with his clothing brand Enchante.