Max Verstappen: "I don't care who my team-mate is"

Max Verstappen has insisted he does not care who his team-mate is following the departure of Pierre Gasly and the promotion of Alexander Albon for the remainder of the season.

Gasly had a very disappointing time at Red Bull after just half a season at the team. The Frenchman was axed with Albon being his replacement until the end of the season at least.

Verstappen has had a very strong season so far - with the Dutchman being the only non-Mercedes driver to have won a race - and he has insisted he is not bothered who his team-mate is but described the departure of Gasly as a "pity" for his former team-mate.

"Of course it's a pity for Pierre, but personally I don't care who my team-mate is," Verstappen admitted to Telegraaf.nl. "The point is that we perform better with the other car and then gain more points for the team."

Albon has been brought in for the remaining nine races of the season after an impressive first half in his rookie season in Formula 1. The British-born Thai youngster will drive alongside Verstappen in his new Red Bull at the Belgian Grand Prix.