Max Verstappen says he isn't sure Daniel Ricciardo's move to Renault is the wisest move for his teammate. Ricciardo had come very close to re-signing with Red Bull but a last minute change of heart will see him in yellow from 2019 alongside Nico Hulkenberg.
Renault has struggled since returning to the sport as a team rather than solely a power unit supplier, currently fighting in the midfield for best of the rest behind the top three teams, Red Bull one of those teams.
Speaking on Thursday ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Verstappen said whilst he could understand the desire for a new challenge, he was less sure of the destination of choice his current teammate selected.
“I think everybody has moments in their careers when they’re frustrated, or you’re not happy with the current situation,” he said.
“I think everybody here wants to win races and wants to win championships. Sometimes it’s not like that, you have to really be patient and work hard for it, so you need the whole package to come together.
“I think that’s what Red Bull is working on at the moment, and I’m confident that they can deliver a car which is capable of winning every race. We just need the whole package. We are working towards that.
“That’s why also it was a little bit of a surprise for me that he left.
“If he wanted a change of scenery, I’m not sure it’s the best scenery to go to.”
Verstappen also added that he didn't feel that the promotion of Pierre Gasly to Red Bull from Toro Rosso necessarily dictated a number one and two label for both drivers.
“I think within Red Bull, we’ve always been treated equally, so I don’t see a difference in that coming up.
“Also I don’t feel like a leader. I just try to do the best possible job for the team and for myself and of course I have more experience than him.
“So I’ll just try to use that to my advantage.”
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