
Ricciardo reveals unexpected gesture from Vettel
Ricciardo reveals unexpected gesture from Vettel

Daniel Ricciardo has praised the 'unexpected kindness' of Sebastian Vettel following his axe by McLaren.
Neither Ricciardo nor Vettel will feature in F1 next year, with the former unable to secure another race seat and the latter retiring.
Since joining McLaren in 2021, the Australian has struggled for form, showing only occasional glimpses of his best, notably victory in last year's Italian Grand Prix, the team's first success since 2012.
During the tough times, Ricciardo has revealed to being provided with much-needed support from his former Red Bull team-mate.
“I won’t go into detail in terms of what was said, but as a general comment, he’s picked up the phone multiple times this year and has just been a friend, shown care, checking in, as a true friend would do," said Ricciardo.
“To have friends like that is so important but it’s also not that common.
"In terms of on the grid, we get on with drivers and you do build friendships, but to have that deeper level of friendship...some gestures he’s made this year and some of the kindness he’s shown towards me was in a way kind of unexpected.
“It’s just super nice of him.”
Ricciardo has been open in his desire to secure a reserve drive with a leading team, with the view of landing a potentially race-winning seat for 2024.
It now appears almost certain he is returning to Red Bull in that role, however, the 33-year-old is all too aware Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix could prove to be his final F1 race drive.
"I can’t sign a contract today to guarantee me a seat in ’24," he added. "No one will do that. It’s not possible.
"But I’ll just try to do all I can next year to try to show that I still have the desire and the skill to do it.”
Related news

Ricciardo opens up on shock F1 retirement call

Riccardo COULD replace Perez at Red Bull early in 2024, claims F1 journalist

What the world of F1 WANTS for Christmas

Ricciardo delighted over Perez F1 Red Bull replacement rumours
Most read

Hamilton clarifies role in high-profile Mercedes F1 departure

Verstappen caught red-handed in failed Red Bull sabotage

F1 introduce strict 2026 car rule to prevent Brawn 2.0

F1 team member desperate with search launched in Abu Dhabi marina

McLaren announce NEW F1 signing after Mercedes switch
F1 Standings

Drivers
- 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
- Nyck De Vries
- Liam Lawson
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
-
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2023
-
Grand Prix of China 2023
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
-
Miami Grand Prix 2023
-
Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
-
Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
-
AWS Gran Premio de España 2023
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2023
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2023
-
Aramco Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
-
Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2023
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2023
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2023
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
-
Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023
-
Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
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

7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860