Sebastian Vettel Pays Tribute to Daniel Ricciardo for I… read more
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has recently paid tribute to his former Red Bull Racing teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, recalling one of the Australian driver’s most memorable victories with the team. In a nostalgic Instagram post, Vettel reflected on the dramatic 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix, where Ricciardo pulled off a stunning comeback to claim the second win of his Formula 1 career. The heartfelt throwback is part of Vettel’s recent series of social media reflections, as he continues to revisit key moments from his illustrious F1 journey following his retirement.
Vettel and Ricciardo shared the Red Bull garage during the 2014 season, a transitional year for both drivers. While Vettel was already a four-time world champion by then, Ricciardo was stepping into the team as a full-time Red Bull driver for the first time. Despite the pressure, Ricciardo quickly proved his worth, taking three race wins in a season dominated by the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. One of those standout victories came at the Hungaroring, and it remains a fan-favorite moment.
In his Instagram post, Vettel shared a series of black-and-white photos from race day in Hungary, 2014. Accompanying the images was a candid caption, where Vettel openly acknowledged his own struggles during the race while praising Ricciardo’s exceptional performance. “It wasn’t a great race,” Vettel wrote. “I spun, which was my mistake, and before that, I was unlucky with the safety car in the first stint. The timing meant the first four cars lost positions to those running behind. Unfortunately, we were also in the wrong mode for the restart and I lost two positions. It’s good for Daniel that he won today, I’m happy for him.”
The Hungarian Grand Prix that year was filled with chaos and drama. Ricciardo started from fourth on the grid but quickly found himself in a tight battle as the race unfolded. A crash by Marcus Ericsson on lap nine brought out the first safety car, shaking up the field. Another crash by Sergio Perez later in the race led to another safety car period, further complicating strategies for the frontrunners. Vettel, who had started second, was among the drivers caught out by the poor timing of the safety cars. He also had a near-spin that pushed him further down the order, ultimately finishing seventh.
Ricciardo, meanwhile, capitalized on the chaos. At just 25 years old, he showed maturity and determination beyond his years. In the final laps of the race, he made a bold and now-iconic double overtake — first passing Lewis Hamilton and then overtaking Fernando Alonso for the lead with just three laps remaining. His daring move at Turn 1 on lap 68 sealed the victory, marking his second Formula 1 win after his debut triumph earlier that season in Canada.
This throwback from Vettel comes at a time when Ricciardo’s name is once again in the spotlight, following a surprise return to Red Bull in 2025. Though Ricciardo was let go from the Red Bull family in 2024, his enduring popularity with fans and fellow drivers alike has kept him relevant in the sport. His personality, coupled with his wheel-to-wheel brilliance, continues to earn admiration across the F1 paddock.
Vettel, now 37, has embraced a quieter life post-retirement but remains an active and respected voice in the sport. His social media presence, which he launched with a powerful retirement announcement video in 2022, has become a platform for storytelling and connection with fans. By sharing memories like the 2014 Hungarian GP, Vettel not only honors his own legacy but also that of the drivers he competed alongside — none more warmly than his former teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
