Formula 1: Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen's rivalry turns ugly at Azerbaijan GP

Azerbaijan Grand Prix, just like last year, was full of drama from the moment all the cars made a beeline towards the first corner of the Baku Circuit. Last year, it was Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel bumping each other. This time, it was a savage competition between Red Bull Racing's drivers -- veteran Daniel Ricciardo and young blood Max Verstappen -- that changed the fate of most of the drivers.

Force India's Esateban Ocon and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen made contact while getting ahead on the first corner. In that carnage, Ocon lost his car and so did Sergey Sirotkin of Williams Racing.

In that crowd, one could see both the Red Bulls trying to get ahead of each other. Since then, Ricciardo and Verstappen came dangerously close to bumping each other but during lap 12, people watching across the globe must have said that this race is going to end in tears for Red Bull Racing.

Verstappen was struggling with battery issues while Carlos Sainz of Renault was trying to get ahead of him during lap 9. He was told on the team radio that it wasn't charging because of his 'overtake button usage.' But that didn't stop him from pushing Ricciardo close to the wall. Halfway through the race, the same situation happened during lap 27.

LAP 27/51

HOW. CLOSE. CAN. YOU. GET?! 

Ricciardo tries to get past his teammate

But Verstappen squeezes back up the inside#AzerbaijanGP F1 pic.twitter.com/j0XO1KB18R

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 29, 2018

This is going to end in tears... pic.twitter.com/dj5oNSa6Bu

— Grand Prix Diary (@GrandPrixDiary) April 29, 2018

After the pit stop to take out the ultrasoft tyres for a spin, Ricciardo came ahead of Verstappen to take the fourth position in the race at the time. But as the next opportunity opened up, Verstappen took back the position with an overcut.

Last 11 laps of Azerbaijan GP were full of drama and the butterfly effect started when Ricciardo's team gave him instructions to get ahead of Verstappen.

"Alright mate, you're going to have to do him again - let's get him, come on," is the message to Ricciardo on the radio. #F1

— Autosport Live (@autosportlive) April 29, 2018

A few seconds later, following was the view -

The pivotal moment in Baku

Ricciardo and Verstappen collide in dramatic fashion

Recording a second double-DNF for Red Bull in three races#AzerbaijanGP#F1 pic.twitter.com/OMwH9Ct9BV

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 29, 2018

Both the cars crashed. Verstappen's back took a massive hit with his rear right tyre going for a toss. While Ricciardo's nose had to bear the damage for his car.

Team boss Christian Horner had nothing but this to say: "I've got no comments to make until I've spoken to the drivers."

It took a very little time for social media to react to the whole situation.

Giggle, giggle #AzerbaijanGP #C4F1 pic.twitter.com/4FIwPKICW6

— Andrew Wilkinson (@wilko80) April 29, 2018

Max Verstappen when he sees his Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo#AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/hTPeLDPDN6

— NOW TV Sport (@NOWTVSport) April 29, 2018

Verstappen hasn't had a great season so far. He already had collisions with Championship leaders Sebastian Vettel in China and Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain.

The 20-year-old's rash attempts always land him in trouble. This is why Ricciardo's move comes across as a surprise.

It is still unclear if it was Ricciardo' breaks or Verstappen's delayed response to turn that caused the crash.

After the race, apologetic Ricciardo told Channel 4, "Obviously it's not a situation any of us want to be in. First off apologies to the team. I will watch a few more replays, it's probably not the best time to comment on it. I don't know what we could've done differently."

Team boss Christian Horner emphasised on the drivers showing respect for the team. He said, "We want to let them race. But they have to show respect for the team."

Wonder how the team de-briefing will go?