Button: 'He's definitely there with Hamilton'

Max Verstappen has been driving for Red Bull Racing for a few years now and that puts him in an important position with the team - thanks to his successes. In recent years he hasn't really had the support of a teammate on track due to the departure of Daniel Ricciardo, but that may be different this year with Sergio Perez taking Alexander Albon's place. Perez will also be a formidable opponent for Verstappen according to Jenson Button.

He'll get the most out of the car

In an interview with Sky Sports Button was asked how he views the situation and if Perez will take the role of second driver. This is mainly because Max Verstappen is more or less hogging all the attention, but that is not without reason. Button: "I’m mentioning Max because he is a known quantity in the team. We know he is gonna be quick and he will get the maximum out of the car.

"Checo, Sergio Perez, we were teammates back in 2013 so I know he is quick and I think inconsistency there was an issue, but now he’s really grown as a driver and he is extremely quick, he has the experience, won a Grand Prix and he is a really good choice for Red Bull. So I’m excited to see how that works, that dynamic within the team, working with Max. I think he is strong enough to be able to fight Max for at least out qualifying him and possible race victories."

Inconsistent

Speaking of inconsistent, that has also applied to Max Verstappen. However, the Dutchman has outgrown that according to Button. "His outright speed is fantastic, his natural ability, it’s definitely there with Lewis. But I think it’s just the team he is in at the moment, that is the reason for is inconsistency. He’s pushing it too hard, because he’s not got the outright pace from the car. That’s been the issue the last couple of years.

"When Max arrived in F1, he was extremely quick, but made a lot of mistakes. That’s changed, he is the complete package now and I think with a good car underneath him, he would definitely get the maximum out of it. And really take that fight to Lewis. I love his driving style, he is quite aggressive. He’s done things with a car I could only imagine doing, especially on the first lap of a Grand Prix. He puts it in places where it looks it’s not gonna work, but it does."

And so Button sees the near future for Max Verstappen as at least bright. The Dutchman will have a challenger in Perez and together they have the ability to make things really difficult for Mercedes.