“Having Friends Like That Is So Important”: Outgoing Daniel Ricciardo Provides Insight on Sebastian Vettel’s Heartwarming Friendship

Formula 1 is a cutthroat business. You’re up against 19 of the best drivers in the entire world and all you’re doing is fighting for the same accolades. But in this heartless world of F1, Daniel Ricciardo saw the human side of Sebastian Vettel.

Daniel Ricciardo has had two very difficult years at McLaren. That being said, Ricciardo’s 2022 will go down as his toughest character-building test to date. But for Ricciardo, this year was a year of revelations, too. One of them being the true understanding of what Sebastian Vettel is to the Honey Badger.

While talking to Motorsport-Total.com about how Vettel has been there for him, he said, “I’m not going to go into detail and say what was said or anything.” [translated via Google Translate]

“But I mean, he’s picked up the phone a number of times this year and was just a friend who cared and reached out like a real friend would. And having friends like that is so important.”

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What sets Vettel apart from the drivers we’ve seen is his sheer competitiveness on the track, but a completely different personality off of it. For Ricciardo, he’s seen it all. According to him, Vettel was not just a good friend.

Daniel Ricciardo hails Sebastian Vettel as the best teammate he’s ever had

Daniel Ricciardo has been paired against a few solid drivers since he joined the sport. Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris come to mind. That being said, there is one clear answer for Ricciardo when it comes to the best teammate he’s ever had. And it isn’t for the reason you’d imagine.

Talking to ESPN F1 Ricciardo said, “To be honest, I really think Seb has been a teammate I’ve got on the best with. Nothing against previous teammates, not at all, but I just think the respect he’s shown for me has always remained high.”

“It’s easy after my first win, when he congratulated me, but even after [finishing] second and third he was still as humble as he could have been.”

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Vettel only has two races remaining in his illustrious Formula 1 career. So is it the end of the road for the German? Or can he come back in F1 with maybe the role of a pundit?