Formula 1 continues to debate who was Max Verstappen’s best teammate at Red Bull Racing, and a recent poll showed an almost indisputable answer. Daniel Ricciardo received nearly half of the fans’ votes, consolidating his position as the driver who most managed to challenge the four-time world champion during his time with the team.
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The result also brought recognition for Sergio Perez, currently at Cadillac. The Mexican finished second in the voting, reinforcing the perception that his contribution over four seasons alongside Verstappen has not always received due appreciation.
Ricciardo obtained 48.33% of the votes. The Australian remains the only teammate to surpass Verstappen in the championship standings, a feat achieved in 2016 and 2017, as well as having shared nine wins with the Dutchman over 58 races they competed together.
The partnership between the two is often remembered for its balance and internal competitiveness. During this period, both were forced to raise their performance level, forming one of the most remarkable duos in the team’s recent history.
Perez appeared in second place, with 27.80% of the votes. His role in the title won by Verstappen in 2021, especially for the defense against Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi GP, along with the five victories obtained between 2021 and 2024, helped consolidate his legacy, despite the drop in performance in the last two seasons alongside the Dutchman.
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Another highlight of the voting was Isack Hadjar. In just nine races contested as Verstappen’s teammate, the young driver earned 17.47% of fans’ preference, boosted by a streak of five consecutive points finishes between the Canadian GP and the British GP, including a fourth place in Monaco.
At the bottom of the list were Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, who had difficult stints at Red Bull and received few votes. Liam Lawson, who completed only two races without scoring before being replaced in 2025, and Yuki Tsunoda also recorded modest numbers in the poll, highlighting the magnitude of the challenge of competing alongside Verstappen in Formula 1.
Voting results:
Daniel Ricciardo: 48.33%
Sergio Perez: 27.80%
Isack Hadjar: 17.47%
Liam Lawson: 3.49%
Yuki Tsunoda: 1.46%
Alex Albon: 0.87%
Pierre Gasly: 0.58%
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