Daniel Ricciardo has conveyed his congratulations to Max Verstappen and the Red Bull team following their significant victory at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The former Formula 1 driver communicated his sentiments after Red Bull Ford Powertrains secured its inaugural win in its debut season.
The landmark event occurred on October 4, 2026, at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This race, officially designated as the Bahrain Grand Prix, saw Max Verstappen convert pole position into victory.
The win marked the first triumph for Red Bull Ford Powertrains, which developed its DM01 power unit at the Red Bull Technology Campus in Milton Keynes. This achievement was particularly notable as it was the 16th race for the new power unit.
Ford’s return to Formula 1 as a power unit partner in 2026 saw its name on the top step of the podium for the first time since 2003. This victory represented the 177th win in Ford’s extensive F1 history.
Following this initial success, Verstappen has secured further victories for Red Bull Ford Powertrains. He won the Singapore Grand Prix on October 11, 2026, and the Mexico City Grand Prix on November 1, 2026.
As of November 2, 2026, Verstappen has accumulated three Grand Prix wins and eleven podium finishes during the current 2026 season.
Ricciardo, who was Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull from May 2016 to November 2018, retired from motor racing after the 2024 season.
He now serves as a global racing ambassador for Ford, a role he assumed in September 2025. His responsibilities primarily involve the Ford Raptor lineup and off-road activities.
Ricciardo shared his thoughts on the ‘Cars and Culture with Jason Stein’ podcast, where he discussed Verstappen’s and Red Bull’s recent achievements.
Very happy, for all of them. I look back on my time as team-mates with Max very fondly; it was a cool time.
He acknowledged the intense rivalry during their time together, stating it pushed them to another level. Ricciardo also recognised Verstappen’s ongoing career trajectory.
Of course, he has gone on and done so much, and he’s going to go down as one of the best ever, no doubt about it.
Ricciardo confirmed sending messages to Verstappen and other Red Bull personnel to extend his congratulations. He noted that these messages were well received within the team.
The 2026 Formula 1 season has seen significant developments, with Kimi Antonelli securing the World Driver’s Championship title at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Verstappen currently holds second position in the Drivers’ Championship standings, with 261 points after 19 rounds.
The season continues with upcoming races including the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Qatar Grand Prix, and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November and December.
