Max Verstappen says he is not looking to draw Red Bull’s attention towards his side of the garage over the following years, with the Dutchman set to partner Daniel Ricciardo until 2018.
Both drivers were recently confirmed for another two seasons and a half at the Milton Keynes-based outfit, with the Australian also declaring that the Dutchman’s fast-tracked promotion has made the team a ‘super-competitive’ environment.
“Of course, [Daniel] has a lot of experience,” Verstappen said. “He has been with the team for a bit longer than me so for sure you learn from that as well. We are pushing each other forward and I think that’s also good for the team.”
Asked whether he would eventually try to assert himself over his team-mate, the 18-year-old replied: “I think in general Red Bull does not work like that, on one side of the garage; they work together to improve because at the end I think it’s much more powerful to work like this. If you are sharing all the bits, which we are doing, it just brings the team forward.”
When it was made reference to the Sebastian Vettel-Mark Webber rivalry, Verstappen quickly interjected: “I don’t think that’s the right approach. I mean Daniel and I have a great relationship. I think that’s also very important.”
Verstappen wasted little time making an impression at Red Bull, as he won his maiden F1 grand prix on his debut with the team in Spain.
However, the teenager has yet to outperform his more experienced team-mate in qualifying, which is no cause for concern according to the chief party involved.
“Well, I was on my way in Baku, so no worries. At the end it does not really matter for me. It is all about the races where you score the points. Maybe for the media it is all about qualifying, but for me it is about the race.”
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