Verstappen says number 2 drivers ‘can’t live in a fairy-tale’

Max Verstappen says F1 drivers who are regularly outperformed by their teammate must accept their status as a number 2 driver rather than live in “a fairytale”.

Verstappen’s leadership at Red Bull has never been contested since his promotion to a race seat with the Milton Keynes-based outfit in 2016.

Since then, from Daniel Ricciardo to Pierre Gasly or Alex Albon, Verstappen’s teammates have come and gone, unable to challenge the dominant position exercised by the two-time world champion.

Current teammate Sergio Perez has at times fared well against the unassailable Dutchman but the Mexican’s performance peaks have also been far too scarce for him to entertain any real title ambitions.

Over at Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas once felt vexed by team boss Toto Wolff characterizing the Finn’s run to second behind Lewis Hamilton in a race as the performance of a good “wingman”.

But during his five-year stint with the Brackley squad, and despite his ten wins with the team, Bottas’ role rarely surpassed that of a fast and reliable charger capable of taking points away from Mercedes’ rivals but powerless in his quest to topple Hamilton’s hegemony.

• Read also: Perez aiming to be stronger in 2023 after missing P2

Verstappen argues that there was nothing wrong with the Finn’s “wingman” duties alongside Hamilton, adding that had he rejected such a support role, Bottas would have likely fallen off the grid.

“Every year he starts fresh, but after a few races you realise it’s not going to happen again and you accept your role,” Verstappen told Viplay.

“[Bottas] still finished on podiums, he won a few races and took pole positions.

“You just have to accept that the driver next to you is just a bit better. That’s fine, that can happen. It’s important that he accepted it.

“Some drivers can’t do that and then it goes completely wrong. Then they don’t survive for very long.

“I’m not going to name names, but you have to accept your role. You can’t live in a fairy-tale world.”

At the end of last year, Bottas was eventually forced to make way for George Russell at Mercedes. But the 33-year-old was signed to a multi-year deal with Alfa Romeo.

However, the Swiss outfit is likely to be Bottas’ last port of call in F1 according to Verstappen’s father, Jos.

“Bottas had that opportunity with Mercedes for many years, and now he drives for Alfa Romeo,” said the former Grand Prix driver.

“I think he is on his last stint in Formula 1.

“If you’re part of a championship team, you go for it and try. After a few races you realise that it’s not going to work.”

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