Max Verstappen names his strongest F1 teammate – Since his debut with Red Bull Racing in 2016, Max Verstappen has been paired with four different teammates. Each brought unique strengths to the table, but according to the Dutchman, one teammate has stood out as the most influential on his journey to becoming a dominant force in Formula One.
In 2016, Verstappen made the leap from Toro Rosso (now known as VCARB) to Red Bull Racing and immediately made headlines by winning his first race with the team at the Spanish Grand Prix. His promotion meant joining a team alongside Daniel Ricciardo, who at the time was considered Red Bull’s leader.
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The rise of Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing
While Ricciardo’s experience initially gave him the edge, Verstappen quickly established himself as a formidable force within the team. As their partnership progressed, the balance of power shifted. Verstappen outpaced Ricciardo in qualifying 34 times out of their 58 races together, demonstrating his pace over a single lap.
In head-to-head race finishes, where neither driver retired, Verstappen also edged the Australian with 18 wins to Ricciardo’s 12.
However, Ricciardo still had the upper hand in other metrics. He secured three pole positions to Verstappen’s zero during their partnership and claimed seven wins to Verstappen’s five. Despite these statistics, the young Dutchman was rapidly developing into a more complete driver, one who would go on to dominate the sport.
Ricciardo: The teammate who shaped Verstappen
In an interview with *Blick*, Verstappen named Ricciardo as his strongest and most influential teammate.
“Absolutely Daniel Ricciardo,” said Verstappen without hesitation. “I’ve learnt the most from him. I have absorbed a lot and incorporated it into my experience.”
Ricciardo’s blend of racing skills, consistency and technical insight provided Verstappen with a benchmark during his formative years at Red Bull. The Australian’s approachable personality and camaraderie also created a positive dynamic within the team, even during moments of intense competition.
Their partnership came to an end in 2018, when Ricciardo left Red Bull to join Renault. By that time, Verstappen had firmly established himself as a rising star, while Ricciardo sought a new challenge elsewhere.
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Sergio Pérez: A loyal partner in success
Following Ricciardo’s departure, Verstappen had a series of teammates, including Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, before teaming up with Sergio Pérez in 2021. The Mexican driver brought a wealth of experience and stability to the team, helping Red Bull challenge for and ultimately win both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
Verstappen’s teammate for four seasons, Pérez competed in 90 races alongside the Dutchman. While his contributions were invaluable, particularly as a support driver during Verstappen’s championship-winning campaigns, Pérez struggled to consistently match Verstappen’s blistering pace.
After a disappointing 2024 season, Red Bull decided to part ways with Pérez, despite his contract running until 2026.
Verstappen expressed his regret at Pérez’s departure and acknowledged the bond they formed during their time together. “We were a good team for four years and Sergio was always loyal. That is a quality I really appreciate,” said Verstappen.
Enter Liam Lawson: A new era begins
For the 2025 season, Red Bull have chosen a less experienced driver to partner Verstappen – Liam Lawson. The young New Zealander has just 11 F1 races under his belt, all with Red Bull’s sister team, but his rapid promotion marks a bold move by the team’s management.
Lawson’s rise through the Red Bull development programme is unprecedented in its speed. Never before has a driver from the programme been promoted to the senior team so quickly. While the decision raises questions about his readiness, Verstappen appears unfazed.
“If we can get the car back on track, the name in the other cockpit will not matter,” said a confident Verstappen. The 27-year-old four-time world champion seems focused on continuing his dominance, regardless of who his teammate is.
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Lessons from teammates past and present
Verstappen’s journey through F1 has been shaped by the teammates he has met along the way. From Ricciardo’s mentorship to Pérez’s unwavering loyalty, each partnership has played a role in his development as a driver.
As he enters the 2025 season with Lawson, Verstappen is poised to add to his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest talents. For the Dutchman, the focus remains on team success and securing more titles, rather than dwelling on the dynamics within the team.
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A champion forged by competition
Max Verstappen’s recognition of Ricciardo as his strongest teammate underlines the value of having a competitive partner during the formative years. While Ricciardo’s departure and Pérez’s recent exit mark the end of two significant chapters in Verstappen’s career, the Dutchman’s relentless focus on progress ensures Red Bull remains at the forefront of Formula One.
With Verstappen teaming up with Lawson in 2025, fans can expect the Dutchman to continue to push the boundaries and cement his status as one of F1’s all-time greats.
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MORE F1 NEWS – Clash: Martin Brundle vs Elon Musk
The world of Formula One rarely mingles with the chaotic cesspool of global politics, but when Martin Brundle, a former F1 driver and current Sky Sports pundit, decided to take shots at Elon Musk on X (formerly known as Twitter), it felt like watching Verstappen do a hot lap – unexpected, daring and ‘electrifying’.
Brundle, a figure known for his wit and measured tone, rarely descends into outright hostility. But on a chilly Monday night, he logged on to X, cracked his knuckles and let loose.
“I like Twitter/X and it has served F1, Sky, me and those around me well for a while,” Brundle wrote. “But Elon Musk is such a daily, globally meddling prick that I feel the need to go elsewhere.”
It wasn’t just a criticism – it was a gut punch aimed squarely at the heart of the platform’s controversial owner. For context, Musk has been involved in everything from advising Donald Trump to ruffling political feathers across Europe, asserting his techno-oligarchic presence wherever possible. Musk’s fingerprints are on more global dramas than a Netflix thriller, and it seems Brundle has had enough…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
