Ricciardo: Verstappen had a self-realization in 2018

The 2018 F1 season is when Ricciardo and Verstappen, then teammate at Red Bull infamously crashed at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the former crashing into the back of the latter.

That incident was probably the trigger for Ricciardo's defection to Renault in 2019 as Red Bull tried to deal with matter behind closed doors - something we are not privy to - in a way the Australian probably did not appreciate.

However, Ricciardo claims that Verstappen has changed after that incident over the remainder of the season, going on to become a complete driver.

"I think he definitely took a step," he said. "I think it was the last year I was with him [in] 2018. [Across] the first five or six races he was in the wall a lot, having incidents or making mistakes, mostly on his behalf.

"Then through that year… It’s like he just had a bit of a self-realisation and a step of maturity, which is also natural – we all go through it. I honestly think that from the middle of that season on, he became a more complete driver," the Honey Badger claimed.

Ricciardo also commented on the difference between the 2021 Verstappen and his 2022 version; he said: "Obviously last year, when you’re fighting for a title, I’m sure you’re going to push the boundaries a bit more.

"I mean, the fight between him and Lewis was controversial because it was also Mercedes vs Red Bull, so there was a lot of intensity around that," he explained.

"I think this year it’s been less tense as a battle and therefore he probably hasn’t needed to put himself in that position as well."

But did Ricciardo see a World Champion in Verstappen? The McLaren driver said: "It’s always hard to predict who will be a world champion.

"I think you can recognise the drivers who have the talent to do it, so I recognised that, in the right car, he would definitely have the chance to be world champion – I saw that in his future.

"There’s no guarantee [of success], but I certainly saw that, especially because he was so young. I’m not surprised he’s in this position.

"Even now, predicting will this be his second of five, or his second of only three… It’s hard to know, because again you need the team and the package," the eight-time grand prix winner maintained.

Verstappen won his second F1 Title at the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix, with four races to spare. These four races, however, will be Ricciardo's final ones with McLaren, as he faces an uncertain future in the sport.

Ricciardo conceded that he will be facing a year on the sidelines in 2023, as no driving opportunities seem to be available for him.