Source:REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
[Saba Sports News] As a four-time F1 World Champion, Max Verstappen admits that his expectations for F1 teammates are not based on how close their personal relationship is, but rather on whether they can genuinely contribute to the team’s progress both on and off the track. He states that teammates don’t need to be good friends in life, but they should be able to get along harmoniously in the paddock, communicate effectively, and maintain complete openness, especially in technical and informational aspects, which is crucial for the team’s development.
Verstappen believes that an ideal teammate should have a strong understanding of racing, be able to collaborate with engineers in car development, and share insights and data candidly throughout the race weekend, rather than working in isolation and withholding information. The quality of their personal relationship is just an additional bonus.
Being Verstappen’s partner at Red Bull Racing has never been easy. Over the past few years, several drivers have struggled to establish themselves in such a high-pressure environment, leading to frequent changes in the team’s second driver. This has sparked ongoing discussions about the challenges of that position. In my view, Verstappen’s dominant performance and high standards mean that teammates must not only contend with the speed gap but also rapidly develop their psychological resilience and adaptability.