Verstappen Discussed Ricciardo vs Perez In Red Bull Second Seat For 2024

Friday, 03 November 2023 at 11:00

Red Bull Racing F1 driver Max Verstappen talked about his potential 2024 Red Bull teammate ahead of the 2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

There has been a lot of controversy around the second seat in Red Bull for the next season. Throughout a recent couple of weeks, there have been multiple rumors suggesting Sergio Perez could be replaced by a different driver on the grid.

While all these rumors have been declined by Sergio Perez, his father Antonio, Helmut Marko, and the team principal Christian Horner, speculations still continue to take place.

Perez's teammate, Max Verstappen, has been asked during the FIA Press Conference ahead of the 2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix if he would welcome Daniel Ricciardo back in Red Bull.

"Yeah, nice questions today here. I always had a great relationship with Daniel, when were team-mates, when, of course, we weren’t, but at the same time, also, I have a great relationship with Checo and I find it a bit unfair to now sit here and say who I would prefer as a team-mate or whatever."

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While saying he sees it unfair to compare the two drivers, the Dutchman explained it is not up to him to decide who gets to driver for Red Bull and who doesn't.

"I mean, they have been great team-mates, and it's not up to me at the end of the day to make these kinds of decisions because I'm very focused on my own performance."

The three-time World Champion has been racing alongside Checo Perez for three seasons already. The Mexican driver played a huge role in helping to secure the 2021 Championship for Verstappen.

"So yeah, I mean, if it's Checo next year, then, you know, great. I have a great working relationship with him, but also personally, I think he's a great guy."

On the other hand, the 26-year-old has also raced alongside Ricciardo in his early days in Red Bull throughout seasons 2017 and 2018, and he says they have a great time together.

"And if it's Daniel, then also we will get along fine and we have a great time. But yeah, F1 can be a tough sport and you're asking these kinds of questions, but yeah, maybe also nothing happens right, so we'll see."

The interesting thing is that Verstappen did not mention Perez has his contract secured for the 2024 season while answering the question.

He might not have felt the need to mention it, or as he said, he is not involved in conversations around the 2024 second seat in Red Bull, but he certainly did not silence all the speculations.