Ricciardo: ‘I can’t tell Max to grow up because I haven’t either’

Verstappen’d quiet drive to 7th at the Italian Grand Prix seemed to cool off the heat that the Dutchman was under after a dramatic Belgian Grand Prix that saw several incidents cause criticism.

HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY - JULY 30: Sparks fly behind Daniel Ricciardo of Australia driving the (3) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB12 TAG Heuer o on track during final practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring on July 30, 2016 in Hockenheim, Germany. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY – JULY 30: Sparks fly behind Daniel Ricciardo of Australia driving the (3) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB12 TAG Heuer o on track during final practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring on July 30, 2016 in Hockenheim, Germany. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)

Daniel Ricciardo has been quite clear that whilst other drivers have chipped in with a word of warning for his Red Bull team-mate, he won’t be telling Max how to change his driving style anytime soon. The Aussie said,

“It’s probably just age coming out, I know when I was – I mean I’m still immature – but at that age you’re going through a lot and you’re growing up from a boy to a man, you want to be your own man. So when someone tells you to do something I think your natural reaction is to oppose it.

I think it’s just a bit of that coming out and maybe a bit of frustration after the race, I don’t expect it to change night and day this weekend, perhaps it will just be refined over the course of the season.”

– Daniel Ricciardo

HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY - JULY 31: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Red Bull Racing hugs Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing as they celebrate in parc ferme during the Formula One Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring on July 31, 2016 in Hockenheim, Germany. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY – JULY 31: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Red Bull Racing hugs Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing as they celebrate in parc ferme during the Formula One Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring on July 31, 2016 in Hockenheim, Germany. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

Red Bull are expected to be strong at the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore next time out, the twist street circuit should be more suited to the RB12. Ricciardo managed to finish 2nd last year, just behind Vettel’s Ferrari. The Red Bull driver is looking forward to the weekend in Singapore and said,

“Singapore is great, a real night race. Being able to drive through a massive city at night with all the lights flashing between buildings as you go past is an awesome feeling. It’s weird, I think it actually feels like you are going faster at night.

It’s really hot and humid out there, I would say it is probably the most physical race of the year but I enjoy the challenge. One main highlight for me is the food, it’s amazing in Singapore. You can get everything and anything but Chilli mud crabs are pretty mega so I love having them a lot.

It seems like a really fun city and I’m really fortunate to get a lot of people coming over from Australia and especially Perth, this means I get a lot of love in Singapore.”

– Daniel Ricciardo

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA - JUNE 30: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing in their lederhosen themed race suits during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 30, 2016 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 30: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing in their lederhosen themed race suits during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 30, 2016 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

 

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