Verstappen offers blunt Red Bull team-mate update

Max Verstappen remained tight-lipped when asked if he knows who his team-mate for the 2025 F1 season will be.

A difficult campaign for Sergio Perez has fuelled speculation that the Mexican driver will not race for the team next year despite penning a two-year extension earlier this season.

It has been reported that Perez's exit could be announced before Christmas.

Liam Lawson has been signalled as the leading candidate to step in for Perez, despite having just 11 F1 races under his belt.

Verstappen appeared on ServusTV after another title-winning campaign and was asked if he knows who will be in the other Red Bull car next year.

“I can't say that right now,“ as he failed to declare that Perez would remain at the team for another season.

Should the 34-year-old be replaced at the Milton Keynes-based squad, Verstappen would be partnered by his fifth team-mate at Red Bull and his sixth in F1.

Lawson would arrive at Red Bull as the most inexperienced driver for some time and take on a significant challenge going up against the four-time world champion.

With a growing portfolio of F1 team-mates, Verstappen asserted he has always got along with his partners despite having the primary goal to beat them.

“In the end, of course, you always have to beat them,” he said. 

“But I have always had a very good relationship with all my team-mates. That's not a problem. 

“Now of course I have a lot of experience and for the team, it's good to have two fast drivers. But other than that, there are no problems. 

“Of course, it's better for the whole team if you get along well with your team-mates. And I think that's what we need with us."