A resurfaced video clip has drawn attention after showing Max Verstappen foreseeing an injury to his former Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo during a dirt bike outing. The timing is striking, as Ricciardo was hospitalized earlier this week following a dirt bike accident in Australia.
Ricciardo, who previously raced for Red Bull, Renault, and McLaren, was treated for minor injuries after the incident, which occurred in northern Queensland.
Details emerge about Ricciardo’s recent accident and hospital treatment
Reports confirmed that Daniel Ricciardo, 36, suffered a minor injury in a dirt bike crash on Thursday in Daintree, Queensland. He was taken to Mossman Hospital, where he received medical treatment before being discharged in good spirits. Although specifics of the injury remain unclear, it appears to be non-life-threatening.
Ricciardo is familiar with injuries from his racing career, having fractured his hand during practice at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, which ruled him out of five subsequent races.
Revisiting Verstappen and Ricciardo’s exchange hinting at the injury
An online clip from a 2024 interview captures a lighthearted moment when Ricciardo was asked how he would spend a perfect day with Verstappen in Australia. Verstappen joked about the possibility of an accident on dirt bikes during their day out, coincidentally predicting an injury before it happened.
The exchange went as follows:
Question:
Dan, you’ve got one perfect day with Max as your date. Where do you take him in Australia?
Ricciardo:
Whoa, whoa! A friendly date? We’re going to get the wrong idea…
Verstappen: Your farm? Let’s go there.
Ricciardo:
Yes, yes, yes. To my farm. And we would ride…
Verstappen: Break a leg…
Ricciardo:
[We would ride] Honda, little 110cc dirt bikes. That is what we’d be doing all day.
Verstappen:
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!’
Ricciardo: No, don’t say that!
Ricciardo’s recent career updates and reflections
Daniel Ricciardo’s last Formula 1 Grand Prix appearance was at the 2024 Singapore race, after which Liam Lawson took over his seat at Red Bull’s Racing Bulls team for the final six rounds. Since leaving F1, Ricciardo has kept a low profile and distanced himself from the sport.
At a conference on Australia’s Gold Coast last week, Ricciardo shared insights into his life after racing, touching on the transition from a high-speed lifestyle to a more reflective and slower-paced existence.
He said,
“Well, I haven’t been shaving my face! The beard is my comfort right now.”
Ricciardo described his new routine as one of self-exploration, including hiking and spending time in Alaska. He humorously noted,
“I was in Alaska a few weeks ago and didn’t get mauled by a grizzly [bear], which was a bonus.”
He elaborated on the personal growth he aims to achieve beyond his racing identity, appreciating simple moments and emphasizing family and friendships.
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.
—Daniel Ricciardo, Racing Driver
Significance of the incident and what lies ahead for Ricciardo
The resurfacing of Verstappen’s prediction highlights the unpredictable risks athletes like Ricciardo face both on and off the racetrack. While the current dirt bike injury seems minor, it underscores the ongoing challenges Ricciardo encounters in maintaining his physical condition post-F1.
With his step back from Formula 1 racing, Ricciardo appears focused on personal healing and redefining his identity beyond the circuit, a journey that may shape his future long after his racing career ends.