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MONTMELO, SPAIN – MARCH 12: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing walk during Formula One winter testing at Circuit de Catalunya on March 12, 2017 in Montmelo, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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MONTMELO, SPAIN – MARCH 12: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing walk during Formula One winter testing at Circuit de Catalunya on March 12, 2017 in Montmelo, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
It is no surprise that teaming up with a world champion can be an overwhelming affair, and this is especially the case with the current world champion, Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver has constantly outperformed his teammates ever since he entered the pinnacle of motorsport.
However, Max has had one teammate who has finished a season, two actually, ahead of him. You guessed it right! It’s Daniel Ricciardo!
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Despite their on-track battles that even turned sour at times, the duo got along well famously. They share a beautiful friendship even now. But in a recent interview with Lad Bible, the world champion mentioned that his best teammate is not Ricciardo but Sergio Perez.
“I started, of course, very young in Formula 1 and I had, I think, also a very good relationship with Daniel. But at the time I was still only 18, 19 and I think where I am now as a person is completely different.”
“So I would say that what I have now with Checo is definitely the best, just because I matured a lot. And I think that also helps a lot with just how you approach each other,” said Verstappen.
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The feeling was mutual as the Mexican driver too appreciated his world champion teammate.
Sergio Perez compliments world champion Max Verstappen as a teammate
During their time as teammates, arguably, there has been no real tension between the pair. They have always been supportive of each other, both on and off the track.
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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – AUGUST 01: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing and Sergio Perez of Mexico and Red Bull Racing talk in the garage during the red flag delay during the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on August 01, 2021, in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Talking about the success of a teammate, Sergio said, “I think not many people can take it, but I think within us, when I win, when Max wins, there is always we feel proud for each other and that I think is something good within us.”
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It is certainly interesting to hear Verstappen‘s comments regarding both Perez and Ricciardo. But it is definitely surprising that he considers the Mexican driver his best teammate in Formula One.
Let’s see how the McLaren driver reacts to his former teammate’s comments. Max’s comments shouldn’t really change their dynamic off the track one bit and, hopefully, they will continue to share the strong bond they currently do.
