Formula 1

Ricciardo feels Verstappen should listen to other drivers more

1 Mins read
Credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

It has been a year since Red Bull Racing made the decision to upgrade Max Verstappen to the main team from Scuderia Toro Rosso, and Daniel Ricciardo believes that one of the young Dutchman’s weaknesses is his independence.

Despite this belief, the Australian is sure that his team-mate will overcome such things as he gets older and becomes a more experienced driver.

“I think strengths, I guess his determination,” Ricciardo told Motorsport.com“He’s obviously willing to push the car on the limit and that’s obviously a really good thing.

“And weakness, I would say his age. But not his age in the sport. He’s done the racing a long time so it’s not necessarily that, but I think it’s probably just in life. Probably just absorbing some things from older people – like last year when he was doing some things with braking.

“A lot of the older drivers would say: ‘Look, we don’t think this is right’, or something. And Max would be like ‘I know what I’m doing’ kind of thing. You know, that’s a strength that he is independent, but may be a weakness…

“But that will come with time, and he will then understand maybe a little bit of probably advice from the older guys.”

Ricciardo also added that he believes that the set-up between himself and Verstappen has worked well in the year they have been team-mates, and that their set-ups have actually merged, due to the fact they have been pushing one another.

“I always try and learn from everyone,” Ricciardo spoke about his partnership with Verstappen.

“I think because driving is such a technical sport, there’s always something different you can apply. A different technique or whatever, a way to set the car up.

“Honestly, I can’t say there’s one place where I’m like: ‘Well, I learned that from Max.’ If it’s in technique or braking or something, I think you learn these things subconsciously.

“Because we are both very motivated and very determined to win, we are constantly pushing each other, but also our engineers are trying to really find a way to make the car different.”

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