The 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for Max Verstappen was defined by a high-stakes internal battle that culminated in a race-ending collision with his Red Bull Racing teammate, Daniel Ricciardo. Starting from the fifth position on the grid, Verstappen engaged in a fierce contest with Ricciardo throughout the race, demonstrating the raw pace of the Red Bull chassis on the Baku City Circuit. Both drivers were pushing the limits, trading positions multiple times. Verstappen recorded his fastest lap on lap 31 with a time of 1:45.771, ranking fifth overall in the race, a testament to the car's potential. However, on lap 39, while battling for position, contact was made between the two Red Bull cars, leading to a "Collision" status for both drivers and an immediate retirement from the race, scoring zero points. This incident, occurring in a race where others like [Esteban Ocon](/results/2025-montreal-esteban-ocon) also faced early exits due to collision, underscored the fine margins of racing on this demanding street circuit. For more details on race incidents, the [Formula 1 — official site](https://www.formula1.com/en) often provides in-depth analysis.
The double retirement was a significant setback for Red Bull Racing, especially considering the competitive pace they had shown. The event was a stark reminder of the pressures within a top-tier team, a dynamic often explored in the [FIA — F1 World Championship](https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-championship) reports. The data from the 2018 season, available through platforms like [Jolpica/Ergast — 2026 season data](https://api.jolpi.ca/ergast/f1/2026.json), shows a challenging start to the year for Verstappen. Despite the unfortunate outcome, the underlying speed was evident. For context, other drivers like [Fernando Alonso](/results/2025-montreal-fernando-alonso) and [Lance Stroll](/results/2025-montreal-lance-stroll) managed to navigate the chaotic conditions to secure points in this very race, highlighting the contrast in outcomes. The broader history of the sport, as detailed on [Wikipedia: Formula One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One), is replete with such intense intra-team rivalries, making this incident a notable chapter in Verstappen's early career. Such events are often a talking point across the [Formula 1 — official site](https://www.formula1.com/en) news cycles, prompting discussions on team orders and driver conduct. Further insights into the race weekend can be found on the [Formula 1 — official site](https://www.formula1.com/en) archives.
Verified race record · Ergast