Daniel Ricciardo wishes he had never left Red Bull Racing at the end of the 2018 Formula 1 season, admitting in a podcast appearance that he frequently wonders how his career would have unfolded if he had stayed alongside Max Verstappen. The Australian driver, whose career in the sport concluded at Racing Bulls after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, reflected on his past decisions during an interview on the Beyond The Grid podcast.
The 2018 Red Bull Exit and Career Regrets
Ricciardo walked away from Milton Keynes seeking a fresh environment, fearing he was growing too comfortable and complacent within the team. Looking back, he acknowledges that staying put would have given him his best possible shot at fighting for a world championship. At the same time, he is careful not to diminish the accomplishments of Verstappen, who has since secured multiple world titles with the Austrian constructor. “Max has proven to be one of the best drivers of all time,” Ricciardo noted, adding that he refuses to claim he would have simply beaten his teammate and taken the championship. Even so, he confessed a straightforward sentiment regarding his departure: “I wish I had stayed.”
Evaluating the Post-Red Bull Years
The road away from Red Bull proved winding and difficult. While Ricciardo secured multiple victories and pole positions against Verstappen during their time together in 2018, his subsequent moves to Renault and McLaren failed to deliver consistent title contention. Ricciardo felt he was becoming less supported and sensed the team was shifting its focus around Verstappen, prompting his announcement to switch teams. The abrupt end of his presence in the sport in late 2024 left the Australian dealing with deep personal pain and a feeling of humiliation, emotions he initially tried to mask behind a public smile.
A Potential Le Mans Reunion With Verstappen
Beyond single-seater racing, Ricciardo has floated the possibility of a future entry in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, identifying Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel as dream co-drivers for a one-off endurance appearance rather than a full championship campaign. Verstappen responded to the idea during a media session, joking that it was a “smart move” to put him in the car while outlining the strict preparation required for such an effort. Verstappen added that a near-term collaboration remains unlikely due to his busy schedule outside Formula 1, which includes GT3 racing commitments such as his recent outing in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO at Portimão.
Reflecting on a Lasting Legacy
Despite the turbulent final chapters of his career—including losing his Racing Bulls seat following the 2024 Singapore weekend—Ricciardo expressed pride in the path he carved from his early days as a young driver in Perth. He reflected that he achieved far more than he ever dared dream. Whether an alternative timeline at Red Bull would have yielded a championship remains the great unknown, leaving Ricciardo with lingering curiosity about the path not taken.
