'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Max Verstappen has commented on Daniel Ricciardo's future in F1 as rumors have surfaced that the Australian might be on his way out of the sport. After the race weekend in Baku, there have been reports claiming that Red Bull has taken a call on what the future would be for the second RB seat, and it does appear that the Australian would be replaced by young Liam Lawson, who has been waiting on the sidelines for an opportunity.
There are, however, further reports that have claimed that Daniel Ricciardo might even be fired with immediate effect after the race in Singapore and replaced by Liam Lawson. While Red Bull has not officially made any statement on the matter, Ricciardo was questioned about the same on Thursday, and the driver stated that he had no clue about what was going on.
Daniel Ricciardo was brought to RB with the objective of trying to assess if he still had the performance in him that would be good enough for a seat at Red Bull. The performances this season at RB have been somewhat decent from Daniel Ricciardo, but in no way do these performances warrant a promotion as the Australian has not been able to command his presence over the Japanese driver, Yuki Tsunoda.
Daniel Ricciardo's former teammate and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was questioned about the same during the Saturday press conference, during which the Red Bull driver said that it's not the best situation for a driver to find himself in. As quoted by Motorsport, Verstappen said:
"He's a friend of mine, In general, in this kind of position is never nice. I don't think he has to feel sorry for himself, sometimes it doesn't work out the way you want them in certain stages of your career."
He added:
"But he still achieved a lot more than anyone could ever dreamed of in their lives, even if this is the last race, he can still look back at that not many people can achieve, do something else, maybe a life also, or other race series. It doesn't really matter not if you deserve to be here, a lot of people deserve to be here and some don't deserve to be here, that's life also, in all kinds of sport."
Max Verstappen speaks out against FIA censoring driver language
Max Verstappen also spoke out against the FIA's directive, where the governing body has told drivers to avoid using abusive language. The governing body's president recently said that the drivers need to be careful of the language that they use because the kids are also watching the sport.
Max Verstappen, on his part, however, insisted that the focus should be on what is being broadcast, not what the drivers are saying. He believes it will have no impact on the kids watching. As quoted by the aforementioned publication, he said:
"Even if a five or six-year-old is watching, they will eventually swear anyway, even if the parents want or they will not allow it, when they grow up, they will walk around with their friends and swearing, so this is not changing anything."
Max Verstappen heads to the F1 Singapore GP with a 59-point lead over Lando Norris. The Red Bull is expected to struggle this weekend as well, and the Dutch driver would be hoping to keep the loss of points to a minimum.
