Max Verstappen has insisted the driver in the sister Red Bull is less important to the team’s Formula 1 title prospects in 2025 than the competitiveness of its RB21.
Verstappen seized his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship in 2024, but Red Bull lost out on the Constructors’ crown amid Sergio Perez’s persistent struggles.
The Mexican languishing a considerable 285 points behind his then-team-mate prompted Red Bull to make a switch last month, with Liam Lawson replacing Perez.
Lawson has moved up to Red Bull despite having 11 F1 starts to his name and has been tasked with supporting Verstappen to help it retrieve the Constructors’ title.
However, Verstappen has argued that achieving that goal will depend more on Red Bull addressing the issues it endured last season rather than Lawson’s adaption.
Red Bull was coasting to a championship double with seven victories in 10 rounds until it encountered severe balance woes with the RB20, derailing its momentum.
“If we can get the car back to the front, the name in the other cockpit won’t matter,” Verstappen told Blick in an interview.
“I don’t have a crystal ball, but if we can rectify certain weaknesses over the winter, we’ll be back at the front. But I’m certainly not making any predictions here.”
“Five teams should be fighting at the front. The weaknesses have been narrowed down.
“We often lacked the necessary balance because we simply couldn’t get into the low-temperature window.”
Verstappen hails Ricciardo as toughest team-mate
Lawson will be the fifth driver to partner Verstappen amid the second spot at Red Bull becoming renowned as a poisoned chalice since Daniel Ricciardo exited in 2018.
Verstappen has admitted that Ricciardo, who was at the team when he arrived four races into the 2016 season, has been the team-mate that has pushed him the most.
Asked who has been his strongest opponent in the opposite Red Bull garage, Verstappen answered: “Definitely Daniel Ricciardo, I was able to learn the most from him.
“I absorbed a lot and incorporated it into my experiences.”
Perez quality that Verstappen ‘appreciated’
Meanwhile, Verstappen also lavished praise on the departed Perez, who had a significant role in the Dutchman’s maiden title triumph at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“It’s a shame because we were a good team for four years – and Sergio was always loyal,” he added. “That’s a quality I really appreciate.”
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