Ricciardo: Verstappen faster than Vettel over one lap
- Published on 30 May 2019 11:11
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Daniel Ricciardo believes that Max Verstappen is quicker over one lap than four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Ricciardo partnered both drivers at Red Bull, racing alongside Vettel in 2014 and Verstappen from 2016 to the end of the 2018 season.
Speaking on Nico Rosberg's Beyond The Grid podcast, Ricciardo affirmed that he doesn't believe Vettel to be slow over one lap, but admits that he saw Verstappen as the quicker of the two.
"I won't take anything away from Seb, he is not slow by any means," the now Renault driver said. "Probably as well because Max is still young, and if he's quick now, he's probably only going to get quicker.
"Seb has been doing it that long, I think you always improve as a driver, but there's less room for him to grow, and more for Max. If Seb's listening, sorry Seb," Ricciardo laughed.
Vettel was absorbed by racing and Formula 1
Ricciardo joined Red Bull in 2014 after spending two years racing for Toro Rosso alongside Jean-Eric Vergne.
The Australian picked up three Grand Prix victories in his opening year with the team, while Vettel struggled to adjust to the introduction of the new V6 turbo hybrid cars.
Speaking about Vettel within the Red Bull team, Ricciardo says the German was always direct and understood, but still maintained respect for the rest of the team members.
"I was excited for that challenge, the on-track challenge but also to see how he worked off-track," he said. "There was a lot of attention to detail. He lives and breathes racing.
"I felt he didn't have many other hobbies. It was just racing and he was really absorbed by it. He had a good way of communicating, he was firm but not disrespectful.
"If something wasn't good enough, he would say 'It's not good enough, we can do better', but it got the message across. He was direct but was still kind. He shook everyone's hand and had a good balance."
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Replies (5)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Not very surprising, but did he just admit Max was faster than him?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
No, not at all. He just said Max is under certain circumstances faster than Vettel and have more room to develop to become superior to Vettel.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
He did not admit that Max is faster only points out the differences between Max and Seb. However the story doesn't quite add up; since there was another interview in where he called Max a nerd, because he was so specific about issues and knowledgeable about their car instead he said this about Seb. It sounds to me that we would love to work with Seb. Who wouldn't want to be in that Ferrari right now.
Honda is improving but will they have improved enough to be on par with Merc in 2020? Verstappen now deserves to be in the fastest car, RBR knows this. If the 2020 RBR
boudy
Posts: 1,168
If the 2020 RBR is not at level of Mercedes or Ferrari than they will lose Verstappen in 2021. Either way 2021 would be an interesting season since Vettel/Hamilton/Verstappen will all be out of contract.
Who would Ferrari sign if they can have access to Hamilton/Verstappen also? The thought of either of those drivers in red is very exciting.
It all hinges on Honda.
Honda on Merc level @ 2020 -->
RBR --> Verstappen
Merc --> Ham/Vet
Fer --> Ham/Vet
Honda not on Merc level @ 2020:
Ferrari -> Ver
Merc -> Ham
RBR -> Vet
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Will Honda be on par with Merc next year? No. But they might close in. I do however fail to see a RB Vet switch. He will stay where he get the best car, he'd be stupid to switch with Vers if Ferrari remain 2nd best or better.