Young Bulls to test respect in FI title battle
MAX Verstappen says he and Australian teammate Daniel Ricciardo respect each other but admits their relationship will be tested in the fight for Formula One victories this season.
The 19-year-old is entering his first full season with Red Bull, starting at this week’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, after being promoted to partner Ricciardo after four races last year as Russian Daniil Kvyat’s replacement.
Verstappen and Ricciardo were the only drivers to win last year outside the Mercedes pairing of now retired champion Nico Rosberg and runner-up Lewis Hamilton.
The young Dutchman said he and Ricciardo, 27, shared a strong and open working relationship in the Red Bull garage.
“I think we push each other forward and I think that’s always positive,’’ Verstappen said. “We are not trying to hide stuff from each other.
“We are very open and share all the information we get from the car and in the end that is better for the team as well so they are very happy with it.
“Daniel is a very good driver, he is very experienced, he’s had some great results already as well. It’s fun working with him and learning from his experiences in the team because he’s been with the team a bit longer than me.
“He is a very relaxed guy, a very open guy. It’s just good to be around him. Of course, when you start to maybe fight more often for victories, it can always be a bit more tense, but I think we have a lot of respect for each other and that’s very important.’’