See how F1 superstar Max Verstappen eerily predicted Daniel Ricciardo's serious injury almost a YEAR before it happened
The racing drivers partnered for Red Bull between 2016 and 2018, and it was here that they encouraged each other to success on the track, but also developed a close bond away from it.
'Daniel and I, of course, go a long way back,' Verstappen once said to Sky Sports F1 about his Australian team-mate. 'We have always had a great relationship, great friendship, a lot of respect for each other as well, so he's just a great guy.'
During an interview with The Project in 2024, the ever-humble Aussie driver, Ricciardo, even invited Verstappen down to his farm in Western Australia to check out his collection of Honda 110cc dirt bikes.
In response to the invite, Verstappen appeared to joke that if the pair got on the bikes, one of them might suffer an injury.
It comes after Ricciardo was admitted to hospital this weekend following an accident on a dirt bike in north Queensland.
Planet F1 reported that the eight-time Grand Prix winner was riding through Daintree National Forest when he suffered a collarbone injury.
He is thankfully understood to be in good spirits following the accident and has been undergoing treatment for the injury.
But, back in 2024, The Project star Georgie Tunney had asked Ricciardo: 'You've got one perfect day with Max as your date... Where are you taking him in Australia?'
'Whoa, whoa! A friendly date? We're going to get the wrong idea...' Ricciardo, who had been stood next to Verstappen, laughed back.
The Dutchman added: 'Your farm? Let's go there.'
'Yes, yes, yes. To my farm. And we would ride…' Ricciardo responded but Verstappen interjected.
'Break a leg...' the Dutchman said.
His comment didn't stop Ricciardo, who continued: 'We would ride Honda, little 110cc dirt bikes. That is what we'd be doing all day.'
But Verstappen quipped back: 'And then we call Red Bull and we're like: 'Argh, we just had a shunt. We can't do the next four races because Daniel's collarbone has gone!''
'No, don't say that!' Ricciardo responded.
Ricciardo was released by Racing Bulls following the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, following a disappointing run of form during the season. Helmut Marko had explained that the Australian was not 'showing the killer instinct' he had once exhibited during his career.
Even amid that difficult season, Ricciardo received the support of his good mate, Verstappen, who had notably offered up his support after the Aussie crashed out of the Japanese Grand Prix in April.
'I think Max has grown into a very… obviously a great driver, but a very mature young man,' the Australian said. 'He's always been very appreciative of our friendship and supportive.
'Even after Japan this year, I was getting quite a lot of stick, and he was one of the only guys who sent me a text and said: 'Mate, keep your head up, we know what you're capable of. Don't listen to the noise'. So, I respect and appreciate him a lot.'
The Australian is now adjusting to life after Formula One, claiming that he was hoping to become more grounded and that he had found it difficult to adjust to a new way of living away from the rock-and-roll lifestyle that comes with travelling the world and competing in racing's premier circuit.
'I've lived this crazy, high-speed life for so long, and I just settled into a little bit of stillness,' Ricciardo explained during an interview at Ray White's Connect Conference on Monday.
'I suddenly wasn't always surrounded by a ton of people giving their opinions and thoughts.'
'I've had a lot of time, I've done some hiking. I was in Alaska a few weeks ago and didn't get mauled by a grizzly, which was a bonus.
'I've been trying to figure out who I am other than this race car driver.
'I've come to appreciate the little things more and the meaning of the importance of family and friends.
'I've always been driven, and that sometimes leads you to being selfish, so I'm trying to learn to be a bit more selfless and become a better listener.'
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Horse racing tips: ‘Her trainer is in absolutely flying form' – Templegate's 5-1 NAP to relish conditions at York
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In-fighting will only speed up the demise of British horse racing
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