Ricciardo and Verstappen exchanged "friendly middle-fingers" after qualifying
Ricciardo and Verstappen exchanged "friendly middle-fingers" after qualifying
Daniel Ricciardo jokingly shared "a friendly middle-finger" with Max Verstappen after the former Red Bull team-mates locked out the second row of the grid at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Rarely have Renault driver Ricciardo and Verstappen been in direct competition this season, but the two will line up next to each other on the Spa-Francorchamps grid on Sunday.
Facing the media after qualifying, Ricciardo related an exchange between the duo in the immediate aftermath of the qualifying session.
"It was quite funny actually," laughed Ricciardo. "I got out of the car in parc fermé and I looked over in his direction.
"He was already looking at me so I think he was waiting for my response and we both gave each other a friendly middle-finger. That was a little bit of banter I guess."
Starting from his highest grid slot since joining Renault, Ricciardo is unsure as to his prospects of fighting Verstappen on track throughout the race.
"Max and the two Mercedes have been, for the most part, in a league of their own on Sundays this year," added Ricciardo.
"So I think it would take something extra obviously to hang with him [Verstappen] tomorrow for the whole duration.
"We do have a strong first and third sector, so if we do get ahead, maybe, it is a track we could defend on.
"I think they [Red Bull] are pretty quick in the second sector but it is pretty tricky to overtake in the second sector. I will certainly try to make life difficult for him and the Mercedes guys if that was somehow in reach."
Ricciardo's previous best qualifying this year was at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone where the Australian started fifth, going on to claim fourth at the flag.
Should he achieve a similar level of progression this time around and finish on the podium in at least third, team principal Cyril Abiteboul will be the proud owner of his first tattoo.
Ricciardo explained in Spain: “This has really broken out now. That’s the bet, so anyone that hasn’t heard about that…
“It’s a bit foggy, but I do remember I believe he chooses placement and size, but I choose the design. We’ll clear that up, but it’s a tattoo and he does not have any so it’s a big deal for Cyril.”
Before you go...
"We are in trouble" if rain falls during Belgian Grand Prix - Sainz
"Lone wolf" Albon disappointed with Belgium GP qualifying
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Verstappen admits Red Bull 'DESERVED' horror China qualifying
- 10 minutes ago
F1 News Today: Verstappen suffers MAJOR China defeat as F1 star LOSES pole after FIA intervention
- 37 minutes ago
FIA announce crucial top three UPDATE in China after investigating F1 star
- 1 hour ago
Hamilton DELIGHTED with Mercedes pace after China masterclass - Top three verdict
- 2 hours ago
F1 sprint races: How do they work and what are the changes for 2024?
- 2 hours ago
- 6
EXCLUSIVE: 'Sports should be above' politics claims F1 icon
- 3 hours ago
Related news
Marko suggests 'exciting' move to REPLACE Ricciardo
Ricciardo SNUBS team-mate in 'pressure' claim
Ricciardo gives VITAL life advice with F1 twist
F1 rival gives important update on Ricciardo replacement rumours
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860