'Max-iel' Reunited! Verstappen Sheepishly Nudges Ricciardo To Race Again | WATCH

Last Updated:January 15, 2026, 11:45 IST

Daniel Ricciardo’s surprise cameo with Max Verstappen in a Red Bull Ford challenge reignited the beloved 'Maxiel' partnership, sparking nostalgia among F1 fans worldwide.

Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen (X)

F1 fans were sent into a frenzy after Max Verstappen urged Daniel Ricciardo to jump back in a race car during a surprise reunion in a new Red Bull-backed video.

The moment came during a Ford-sponsored challenge featuring Verstappen and Red Bull rookie Arvid Lindblad, but the entire narrative flipped when Ricciardo suddenly appeared before the final showdown.

As the cameras rolled, Verstappen turned to his former teammate and delivered the line that reignited years of nostalgia.

“You need to have a go, mate," Max said.

Ricciardo, smiling, fired back: “Yeah, I might put a race suit on."

That was all it took.

The brief exchange instantly revived memories of the pair’s Red Bull days — a duo fans still lovingly call “Maxiel" — and sparked fresh calls online for Ricciardo to race again.

The challenge itself spanned acceleration, cornering tests and a final race across 12 Ford cars from more than 100 years of motorsport history. Lindblad edged Verstappen with a 1:03 lap to 1:06, but the result barely registered.

All eyes were on Max and Daniel.

Ricciardo’s cameo is his latest high-profile appearance since becoming a Ford Racing ambassador in September 2025, following his exit from Formula 1 after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.

During their three seasons together at Red Bull, Ricciardo actually outscored Verstappen — 626 points to 621 — and left a lasting mark on the reigning world champion.

Even Max’s father, Jos Verstappen, has said no teammate taught his son more.

“Daniel was really good — a qualifying beast," Jos said. “Max learned a lot from him."

News sports formula-one 'Max-iel' Reunited! Verstappen Sheepishly Nudges Ricciardo To Race Again | WATCH

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