“We Became a Lot Closer”: Daniel Ricciardo Reveals How Sebastian Vettel Putting His Guard Down Overturned Their Relationship

In his initial years, Sebastian Vettel was a totally different personality from what he is today. While discussing that transition, Daniel Ricciardo talks about how Vettel’s behavioral change brought the former Red Bull duo close.

Ricciardo accepts that Vettel from his championship-winning days is very different from what he is right now or was in his final F1 days. That shift made him relatable to fans and gave him a massive fanbase even when he wasn’t winning.

“The older he got, the more he probably let his guard down,” said Ricciardo on eff won with DRS podcast. “And people kind of saw the human side of Seb. And that was the side people related to and adored. And even like myself and him. We became a lot closer. Definitely a close friend.”

Sebastian Vettel is the best teammate Daniel Ricciardo ever had

Ricciardo and Vettel were paired only once when both were at Red Bull in 2014. Despite spending only a season’s time with him, the Australian race driver regards the latter as his best teammate ever.

The Honey Badger mentioned this in 2014 when Vettel was set to depart for Ferrari. The respect between them is still shared even after a decade. Both drivers are not going to be present on the grid. While Vettel retired, Ricciardo was axed by McLaren only to opt for a sabbatical instead of serving a lower grid team.

But surely, the whole Ricciardo saga getting shelved by McLaren was an unpleasant episode for the 33-year-old. And only then was Vettel empathetic to his former teammate, as Ricciardo reveals that the four-time world champion was frequent with his calls and wanted to know how the former was doing.

Orchestrating comebacks?

While Ricciardo is taking his break away from the hectic work style of F1, he is also aiming for a comeback on the grid. In his recent statements, it’s apparent he wants to return to the grid next year.

However, he claims he wants to be in a top team and fight for the wins, not for the single points. But every top team in the competition seems settled with their drivers. Only a chance out of sheer luck could map a return for Ricciardo, which he wants.

On the other hand, Vettel has been touted to make a comeback in an executive role at Red Bull. Helmut Marko, who plays the role of advisor at Milton-Keynes, recently turned 80 and clearly sees his former driver as his successor. But Vettel has given no word to it.

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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