Ricciardo explains Verstappen ‘sore loser’ jibe

Daniel Ricciardo has explained the reasoning behind his comment that Max Verstappen was a ‘sore loser’ following their coming together in the Hungarian Grand Prix, but insists he is back on good terms with his Red Bull Racing counterpart.

Verstappen collided with Ricciardo on the opening lap of the Hungaroring race after understeering into his team-mate at Turn 2, moments after losing the position to the Australian when he was run wide on the exit of Turn 2.

Prompting a furious Ricciardo to point the finger of blame squarely at Verstappen – who was given an in-race time penalty – the five-time race winner would brand him a ‘sore loser’ at the time.

It is a comment Ricciardo has provided further context for, identifying Verstappen’s bungled front row and turn one in Spa last year as a primary example.

“I made a comment calling him a sore loser, there was not too much reference to that, it was just me trying to say something. The comment that I made if he goes back a bit and then tries to make it up, in a way it is probably similar to the start here last year.

“He had a front row and did not get the best jump and it was like I will try and make it up straight away. Okay there was a gap on the inside, but it was always going to bottle neck. It is those little things which where it is not the first time he has done that but is it a weakness?

“I don’t know if it is a weakness, it will get ironed out over time, it is probably just youth at the moment. I am not trying to school him or anything. It was not the first time he had done a first lap move like that.”

Despite emotions running high entering the summer break, Ricciardo says Verstappen’s instant private apology was sufficient.

“After the engineers’ meeting, after the race, Max pulled me aside and we spoke one on one in private. It was all I could ask from him. He can’t give me my points back.

“Maybe he could have given me some of his prize money! But I am just kidding. It was all he could do and at least he did that and it was sincere and we shook hands so I was satisfied with that.

“As a person, this year we got to spend more time together being teammates for a longer period, so I have seen him more away from racing as well and I see that he is, last year he was more of a young kid and I see him more of a young adult now.

“He has definitely matured more now. His apology was all I could ask for and it was not with his manager or Christian standing next to him, it was just one on one so that was the right way to do it and the best way for us to move forward.”