Verstappen underlines importance of having good atmosphere in team

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has praised his now former teammate Daniel Ricciardo for always creating a good atmosphere around the team, as the Dutchman hopes this will continue with his new teammate Pierre Gasly.

Ricciardo shocked the F1 world this summer by opting to make the switch to Renault in 2019, leaving Red Bull behind after spending five years at the team.

“He’s always smiling and it’s a good atmosphere being around him,” Verstappen told Crash.net.

“It’s better than having a grumpy team-mate who doesn’t really speak to you.

“That’s maybe not a lesson, but just having a good atmosphere in the team is very important, so for sure I’ll take that onboard and will try to create that with Pierre as well.”

Gasly, who drove his first full season in F1 this season at Toro Rosso, will make the promotion to replace the Aussie.

Verstappen goes way back with Gasly, with the having competed with each other since their karting days. They weren’t best friends back then, though.

"At the time we were not talking a lot, I think Pierre was not that good at English and neither was I. You’re 12 years old, so it’s a bit different.

“Throughout the years you always stay in contact; your paths cross again through the other series.

“Then he ended up in the Red Bull programme. He’s a very fast driver but also a very nice guy to be with and that’s important.”