Max Verstappen has picked the drivers who would make up his Formula One dream squad, and his selections may surprise some.
Verstappen will be looking for a fourth consecutive world title in 2024, and he will have to live up to the extraordinarily high standards he set last season, when he won 19 of 22 races.
However, this could be his final year with Sergio Perez as a teammate, with Red Bull assessing their options as the 33-year-old’s contract expires.
Last season, the Mexican finished second in the championship, winning two races, but he battled with pace and consistency, especially when compared to the Dutchman.
As a result, many predict Perez to be out of a drive in 2024 if his form does not improve, with several individuals linked to one of the most prized positions on the grid.
Verstappen appears to have a preference among Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson as the frontrunners to join Red Bull.
In an interview with the German journal Auto Motor und Sport, the 26-year-old was asked to choose his dream driver line-up if he were team boss, and first claimed that he would pick himself if allowed.
‘I would prefer Lando,’ he remarked of his teammate. He’s still young and has a bright future ahead of him. He can also move very quickly.’
This is somewhat unsurprising given that Verstappen and Norris are good friends off the track, and the Brit is regarded as one of the fastest on the grid, with Sir Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
While Verstappen would love the opportunity to compete against Norris in equal machinery, it appears doubtful that Red Bull would recruit a driver who might potentially destabilize the team if the pair came to blows on the track, especially as Norris is also committed to McLaren until the end of 2025.
Verstappen went on to claim that if he couldn’t drive himself, he would hire Norris’ McLaren colleague, adding, ‘I would take Lando and Oscar [Piastri].
‘So there’s the McLaren pairing. Both are excellent. Oscar is a few years older than Lando.
‘I believe Oscar is a quick rookie. He still has much to learn, such as how to enhance his race pace. But, based on what I’ve seen, he’s a brilliant guy. He’ll win all of his races.’
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