Max Verstappen is known to devour his Formula 1 teammates, but just how dominant has he been against them since 2015?
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Max Verstappen is undoubtedly one of Formula 1’s most dominant figures; a driver who has cemented his legacy in ways some can only dream of. But even legends need teammates, and an interesting cast of co-pilots has accompanied Verstappen’s F1 journey. Each driver who has shared the Red Bull (or Toro Rosso) garage with Verstappen has faced the unenviable challenge of keeping up with the Dutch superstar. So let’s dive into the numbers and explore how these partnerships unfolded.
Carlos Sainz: The Rookie Showdown (2015 – 2016)
Max Verstappen’s F1 career began in 2015 with Toro Rosso, and he raced alongside another highly rated rookie, Carlos Sainz Jr, the son of rally legend Carlos Sainz. Both drivers were fresh-faced and full of ambition, and their rivalry was one of equals…at least at the start.
In qualifying that year, Sainz edged Verstappen in their rookie season with a narrow 10-9 lead. However, when it came to race results, Verstappen demonstrated the flair and skill that would later define his career. He outscored Sainz in points (49 to the Spaniard’s 18), showing that raw racecraft often trumps qualifying pace.
Their partnership was characterised by closely contested battles, but Verstappen’s fearless overtaking and knack for extracting the most from his car gave him the edge. By the time he moved up to Red Bull Racing in early 2016, Verstappen, son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, had already set himself up to become the star he is today.
Daniel Ricciardo: The Honey Badger (2016 – 2018)
When Verstappen joined Red Bull Racing just five races into the 2016 season, he was paired with Daniel Ricciardo, a proven race winner with an infectious grin. Ricciardo was no pushover, though, and was known for his late-braking overtakes and consistency.
In their first full season together in 2017, Ricciardo finished ahead of Verstappen in the championship standings, scoring 200 points to Verstappen’s 168. Mechanical reliability played a significant role in this outcome, with Verstappen suffering several retirements that year.
However, 2018 saw a shift in momentum. Verstappen outperformed Ricciardo in qualifying head-to-head, leading 14-7, and finished the season ahead in the championship standings with 249 points to Ricciardo’s 170. The balance of power had shifted and Verstappen’s rapid development made it clear he was the future of Red Bull Racing. The writing was on the wall that Ricciardo would play second fiddle to his younger teammate over the coming years, which led to him to departing the team at the end of the season to join Renault.
Related: Did Red Bull Miss Out On Something By Signing Lawson?
Pierre Gasly: A Tough Half-Season (2019)
Red Bull expects nothing but the best from its drivers and Pierre Gasly learned this the hard way in 2019. Promoted from Toro Rosso to partner Verstappen following Ricciardo’s departure, Gasly struggled to adapt to the demands of the team and its F1 car.
The numbers were stark throughout their 12-race partnership. Verstappen comprehensively out-qualified Gasly, leading 11-1 before Gasly was demoted back to Toro Rosso midway through the season. He outscored Verstappen in races on just one occasion. On the points front, Verstappen’s dominance was evident over the 12 races: 181 to Gasly’s 63.
Gasly’s demotion was a testament to Verstappen’s high standards within the team. Despite his struggles at Red Bull, Gasly would later bounce back, showing his resilience with a stunning win at Monza in 2020 in AlphaTauri (Toro Rosso-rebranded) colours.
Alex Albon: A Rocky Road (2019 – 2020)
Alex Albon was brought in mid-2019 to replace Gasly and while his performance was an improvement, he still found it difficult to match Verstappen’s relentless pace. In the second half of the 2019 season, Verstappen outscored Albon 97 points to 52 over the season’s remaining nine races. The trend continued into 2020, with Verstappen finishing a staggering 109 points (214 to 105) ahead of his teammate in the championship.
Albon’s tenure at Red Bull highlighted just how challenging it was to partner with Verstappen. While Albon delivered moments of brilliance, he often found himself struggling to compete at the same level as his teammate.
Sergio Pérez: The Experienced Hand (2021 – 2024)
Red Bull’s search for a strong partner for Verstappen led them to Sergio Pérez, a seasoned driver known for his racecraft and tyre management. From the outset, Pérez brought stability to the second Red Bull seat, providing crucial support to Verstappen during his 2021 title battle against Lewis Hamilton.
In 2021, Verstappen’s dominance was clear, leading Pérez 20-2 in qualifying head-to-head and outscoring him 395.5 to 190 in points. However, Pérez’s defensive driving in races like Abu Dhabi played a pivotal role in Verstappen’s championship victory, cementing his place as a valuable team player.
The 2022 and 2023 seasons followed a similar pattern. While Pérez occasionally challenged Verstappen, particularly on street circuits, the champion-driver’s consistency and raw speed kept him firmly in control. By mid-2023, Verstappen’s winning streak and commanding performances further highlighted the gap between the two drivers. Pérez was eventually released from his Red Bull contract in 2024, following a dismal season in which he scored 152 points to Verstappen’s 437, and outpaced the Dutchman on one occasion in qualifying and races over 24 race weekends.
Lawson Must Take Note
Partnering with Verstappen is not just about driving fast – it’s about competing against one of the most naturally gifted drivers in F1 history. His ability to extract every ounce of performance from a car, combined with his relentless work ethic and racing instincts, sets him apart. This is what new Red Bull Racing signee Liam Lawson must keep in mind when he dons the racing suit as Verstappen’s new teammate in 2025. The four-time F1 Drivers’ champion has shown that he eats teammates for breakfast and will not consider helping the new recruit settle in at the expense of his own championship ambitions.
Teammates like Ricciardo, Gasly, and Pérez have all acknowledged the difficulty of matching Verstappen’s pace. While some, like Ricciardo, managed to hold their own for a while, others found themselves overwhelmed by the challenge. Verstappen’s teammates have faced the near-impossible task of competing against a driver who seems to operate on another level. Ultimately, Verstappen’s dominance isn’t just a testament to his talent and the high standards set as a team – it’s a benchmark in Formula 1.
When Lawson begins his tenure as a Red Bull driver he must remain calm and level-headed, because sharing a garage with Max Verstappen is a masterclass in perseverance…and humility.
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