Max Verstappen has earned a reputation in Formula 1 as a formidable competitor who often outperforms his team-mates. This has led to intense rivalries and varying degrees of success for his counterparts since his debut. We have ranked all of Verstappen’s F1 team-mates from the most competitive to the least, revealing who managed to challenge him effectively and who faced significant struggles.
Assessing the Strength of Verstappen’s Team-Mates
This ranking evaluates all of Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 team-mates based on their performance against him, their impact within the team, and overall career trajectory while sitting alongside one of F1’s most talented drivers.
1. Daniel Ricciardo: Verstappen’s Most Staunch Rival
At the top of this list is Daniel Ricciardo, Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate from 2016 to 2018. This period marked one of the most closely contested intra-team battles in Verstappen’s career. Ricciardo remains the only driver to have outscored Verstappen in a full season, finishing ahead in the World Championship rankings at the end of 2017.
Verstappen joined the main Red Bull team mid-season in 2016, winning his first race debut at the Spanish Grand Prix. Despite this, Ricciardo had the upper hand that year, gathering more points overall. In 2017, Ricciardo maintained this edge, securing 200 points compared to Verstappen’s 168. Both drivers contributed to Red Bull’s resistance to Mercedes dominance during these seasons.
The momentum shifted in 2018 when Verstappen secured two victories to Ricciardo’s one and scored 249 points over Ricciardo’s 170. Increasing tension between them led to Ricciardo’s decision to leave Red Bull at the end of the season as a seven-time race winner with the team. Ricciardo’s career suffered afterwards, but no other Verstappen team-mate has matched the competitiveness he displayed.
2. Sergio Perez: Valuable Support and Occasional Threat
Second in the ranking is Sergio Perez, another experienced driver who shared the garage with Verstappen at Red Bull. Perez was instrumental in supporting Verstappen’s first World Championship triumph in 2021. As Red Bull solidified its dominance, Perez also eyed championship success himself.
Over three seasons together, Perez showed moments of strong performance including five Grand Prix wins and finishing runner-up to Verstappen in the 2023 Drivers‘ Championship. However, his challenge diminished as the team’s supremacy began to wane, and after a disappointing start in 2024, Perez left Red Bull at the season’s end.
3. Carlos Sainz: Early Career Contender
Carlos Sainz was Verstappen’s first Formula 1 team-mate, both debuting in 2015 for Toro Rosso, Red Bull’s junior team. Their tenure was marked by some manufactured rivalry as the team sought to identify who would advance to Red Bull’s main squad. Sainz held his own against Verstappen despite the latter’s rapid rise.
By the end of 2015, Verstappen scored 49 points compared to Sainz’s 18, but notably, Sainz won the qualifying head-to-head 10-9, highlighting his speed. When Red Bull needed to replace Daniil Kvyat in 2016, Verstappen was chosen over Sainz, marking a pivotal moment in his ascent.
Sainz later won four F1 races in his career, and a reunion with Verstappen at Red Bull has been hinted at but never materialized. Their early matchup remains one of Verstappen’s tightest competitions.
4. Alex Albon: A Promising Talent Limited by Verstappen’s Dominance
Alex Albon, who raced alongside Verstappen during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, showed potential but struggled to keep pace with the Dutch driver. Albon achieved two podium finishes as a Red Bull driver, but Verstappen’s consistent presence on the podium and strong performances left little room for Albon to shine.
Unable to hold on to his race seat, Albon was relegated to Red Bull’s reserve driver for 2021 before moving to Williams to continue his career. His experience underscores the challenge of racing alongside a driver of Verstappen’s caliber.
5. Pierre Gasly: Brief and Difficult Stint at Red Bull
After Ricciardo’s departure, Pierre Gasly stepped into the second Red Bull seat for the 2019 season but struggled significantly. Gasly’s best finish was fourth place at Silverstone during the first half of the year. However, his overall results did not meet the team’s expectations, leading to his mid-season demotion back to Toro Rosso and replacement by Albon.
6. Liam Lawson: A Harsh Introduction to Top-Level Pressure
Liam Lawson’s time as Verstappen’s team-mate was notably brief and challenging. The New Zealander only participated in two races during the 2025 season before being demoted. Lawson had trouble progressing beyond the initial qualifying sessions, including starting last in both the China Sprint and the Grand Prix.
Red Bull’s decision to withdraw him quickly was intended to protect the young driver from undue pressure in a tough car. Despite his limited track time, Lawson’s experience highlights the demanding nature of competing alongside Verstappen.
7. Yuki Tsunoda: Struggling to Match Verstappen’s Pace
Yuki Tsunoda is currently viewed as Verstappen’s most challenged team-mate, a label supported by former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, who called Tsunoda “the worst” in this role. Driving the Red Bull RB21, a car capable of wins for Verstappen, Tsunoda has struggled to make an impact, scoring only seven points, with no points in his last seven races.
Unlike Lawson’s brief stint, Tsunoda has had a dozen races to tame the RB21 but has failed to progress, raising questions about his effectiveness as a Red Bull driver despite possessing more Formula 1 experience. His ongoing difficulties illustrate how Verstappen’s presence can overshadow and expose weaknesses in fellow drivers.
The Continued Impact of Verstappen’s Team-Mates on His Career
Max Verstappen’s journey in Formula 1 has been shaped not only by his own talent but also by the quality and competitiveness of his team-mates. Daniel Ricciardo remains the standout rival, while others like Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz brought solid competition and team support. The remainder of Verstappen’s teammates have faced varying degrees of struggle, emphasizing how demanding it is to keep pace with an F1 team’s leading driver.
As Verstappen’s career progresses, the performances of his team-mates will continue to influence Red Bull’s dynamics and championship pursuits. The team’s choices in pairing Verstappen will remain critical for maintaining their competitive edge in Formula 1’s evolving landscape.
