Verstappen delivers Ricciardo 'LAST RACE' verdict

Max Verstappen has revealed his thoughts over claims that the Singapore Grand Prix is set to be the last for former team-mate and close friend, Daniel Ricciardo.

Ricciardo currently drives for Red Bull's secondary team, Visa Cash App RB, but is yet to secure a contract extension for the 2025 season.

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Earlier this season, the Aussie driver was touted as a potential replacement for Verstappen's current team-mate Sergio Perez, after the Mexican star suffered a significant drop in form.

However, having been frequently outperformed by his own team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, the potential for promoting Ricciardo back to the main team appears to have dwindled.

Former F1 driver and Sky Germany pundit Ralf Schumacher recently revealed that the upcoming Singapore GP was set to be Ricciardo's last race, with RB planning to replace him with Liam Lawson.

Verstappen responds to Ricciardo exit rumours

Heading into the race weekend at Marina Bay Circuit, the Dutchman was asked whether he felt Ricciardo deserved to remain in F1.

Speaking in Thursday’s press conference ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Verstappen said: "Daniel is a great guy. I think he has proven himself as a great Formula 1 driver.

"He's a friend of mine. And I think, in general, always being in this kind of position is never nice. But at the other end also, I don't think he has to feel sorry for himself.

"Sometimes things maybe don't work out the way you want them in certain stages of your career, but you still have achieved a lot more than anyone could ever dream of in their lives.

"So even if this is, let's say, the last race or whatever, you can still look back at something amazing that not many people can achieve and do something else maybe in life also.

"I mean, why not? Many more... other race series or not."

READ MORE: Ricciardo reveals SHOCK desire to race outside F1

With Ricciardo's career consistently questioned, the 35-year-old recently admitted that he had considered making a career switch, and was in fact looking forward to the free time he could spend back in Australia once his time in F1 finally comes to an end.

Verstappen himself alluded to Ricciardo's retirement plans, stating: "Maybe just chill back at the farm. Have a lot of fun. I mean, he's a great guy.

"It doesn't really matter or not if you deserve to be here. A lot of people deserve to be here. Some don't deserve to be here. That's life also, you know, in all kinds of sports. It's how it goes.”

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