Red Bull confirm Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo reunion following…read more
Red Bull have officially delighted fans by showcasing a long-awaited reunion between two of the most charismatic teammates in modern Formula 1 history: Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.
The former Red Bull pairing, who raced together between 2016 and 2018, came back together in a newly released Red Bull video, instantly sparking nostalgia among F1 fans. During their time as teammates, Verstappen and Ricciardo formed one of the grid’s most feared driver line-ups, delivering race wins, podiums, and an aggressive on-track rivalry that was balanced by an easy-going, humorous friendship away from racing. Their playful chemistry helped redefine Red Bull’s image during that era, particularly through viral social media moments that remain fan favorites to this day.
Fast forward nearly a decade from their first season together, and both drivers now find themselves at very different stages of their careers. Verstappen has since risen to the very top of the sport, establishing himself as a four-time world champion and one of Formula 1’s defining figures. Ricciardo, meanwhile, has stepped away from the F1 grid, closing the chapter on his racing career but remaining deeply connected to motorsport and the Red Bull family.
Their reunion was made possible through a shared link with Ford. The American manufacturer is set to become Red Bull’s technical partner from the 2026 Formula 1 season, marking a major new chapter for the team. Ricciardo, on the other hand, was appointed Ford’s global ambassador last year and has become the public face of the brand’s Raptor performance line. That crossover created the perfect opportunity for Red Bull to bring the two former teammates back together on camera.
The reunion took place in a Red Bull-produced video centered around Ford’s automotive legacy. In the feature, Verstappen went head-to-head with rising Racing Bulls talent Arvid Lindblad in a series of driving challenges using Ford vehicles spanning more than a century of history. While the video itself was already a treat for fans, it was Ricciardo’s surprise appearance around 18 minutes in that truly stole the show.
For the final challenge, Verstappen chose to drive an Australian V8 Supercar, while Lindblad opted for a modern 2025 Mustang GT3. Just as the challenge reached its climax, Ricciardo appeared as a “special guest,” catching both drivers off guard and instantly lifting the energy of the video. The moment quickly became the highlight for fans, many of whom have long hoped to see Verstappen and Ricciardo share the screen again.
Red Bull later amplified the moment by sharing behind-the-scenes photos across their social media platforms. One image captured Verstappen and Ricciardo laughing together trackside, energy drinks in hand, while another showed the pair chatting casually in the garage, a reminder that their bond remains intact years after parting ways as teammates.
The team captioned the post “MV3 DR3,” a playful reference loaded with symbolism. With Verstappen no longer running the number 1 following his title loss to Lando Norris, the Dutchman has opted to adopt Ricciardo’s former number 3 for the 2026 season—a subtle tribute that added another layer of meaning to their reunion.
For fans, the moment served as a reminder of one of Red Bull’s most entertaining eras, proving that while Formula 1 careers evolve, some connections never fade.
