Verstappen would love to have a 'not so fast' teammate - like Bottas!

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Max Verstappen took a cheap shot at Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas, labeling the Finn as "not so fast", claiming the task of scoring points is made easier when one races alongside a slower driver.

The contrast in performance and results this year between Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas left the latter lagging by a un unhealthy margin at the end of the season.

Hamilton conquered his fifth world title with eleven victories while Bottas failed to win a single time, the victim of misfortune in the early part of 2018 and then of Mercedes' necessity to impose team orders.

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Verstappen offered a rather disparaging assessment of the Silver Arrows squad's driver line-up, diminishing Hamilton's merits while indirectly calling Bottas a laggard.

"Most drivers would become world champions in that car," Verstappen told AD, alluding to Hamilton's championship winning W09. "Especially if you have a teammate next to you who is not so fast.

"If your teammate always drives so far behind, it is very easy to collect points.

"Of course I had Daniel Ricciardo much closer to me. Then you really have to fight for your points."

In the young Dutchman's very simplistic view, a significant gap between two team mates offers a few big benefits.

"There at Mercedes it was a completely different story. Hamilton, of course, fought against Ferrari, always had to stay sharp," he added.

"But sometimes I sometimes think: the lesser your teammate is, the more relaxed you can drive yourself.

"And then you also know that the team is fully geared towards you. That only makes you faster."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.