The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has often delivered drama, but none more memorable than the infamous 2018 clash between Red Bull teammates Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen. That season marked the final year of their partnership, and the collision in Baku became a defining point in Red Bull’s modern history. It not only robbed the team of valuable points but also deepened tensions that ultimately led Ricciardo to pursue a move away from Milton Keynes, joining Renault at the end of the year.
The rivalry between the pair had been building long before the accident. Red Bull was stuck as the third-quickest outfit, unable to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari consistently, which intensified the internal battles between its drivers. Verstappen, who arrived at the race under pressure following a string of early-season mistakes, had only 18 points to his name. Ricciardo, meanwhile, had momentum after a win in China, but both found themselves clashing repeatedly as they pushed for positions in Baku’s tight and punishing street circuit.
Lap 40 became the turning point. After several wheel-to-wheel duels, Ricciardo looked to reclaim his place down the long main straight, using DRS to close in. Verstappen defended aggressively, weaving in a bid to disrupt the tow. As Ricciardo switched lines to attempt a move, Verstappen’s defensive maneuver left the Australian with no escape route. The result was catastrophic: Ricciardo ploughed into the back of his teammate, sending both Red Bulls out of the race in a shocking double retirement.
The aftermath was heated. Christian Horner criticized both drivers for ignoring team priorities and demanded they apologize to the entire Red Bull workforce. While Verstappen kept a diplomatic stance in public, insisting blame wasn’t worth debating, Ricciardo privately admitted his frustration. Years later, he questioned whether Red Bull would have reacted the same way if their roles had been reversed, suggesting favoritism may have influenced how the situation was handled.
In the grand scheme, the crash became a turning point in both careers. Ricciardo’s relationship with Red Bull deteriorated, and his move away began a difficult chapter with Renault and later McLaren. Verstappen, however, took a different path, using the lessons of 2018 to evolve into one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers, eventually becoming a four-time world champion. That Baku incident was more than a racing mishap—it reshaped the future of Red Bull and altered the trajectories of both drivers forever.
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