Verstappen has no preference over Red Bull teammate for 2020

Max Verstappen says he has no preference over who will be his Red Bull Formula 1 teammate for the 2020 season ahead of the team’s decision between Alexander Albon and Pierre Gasly.

F1 rookie Albon replaced Gasly over the summer break at Red Bull, stepping up from Toro Rosso as part of the team’s plan to evaluate all available drivers for the seat alongside Verstappen in 2020.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko claimed over the Singapore race weekend that only Albon and Gasly - who returned to Toro Rosso - were in contention, with Daniil Kvyat set to remain at Toro Rosso for next year.

Albon is the favourite to keep the seat after impressing in his first three outings for Red Bull, but Verstappen said he enjoyed working with both of his teammates so far this year.

“[Albon is] good, I enjoy working with him, he’s very relaxed. But it’s no different to Pierre,” Verstappen said.

“I also really liked working with Pierre. He’s also a really nice guy. I’m actually really happy that Pierre now at Toro Rosso. He had a good performance in Singapore, so for sure that makes him also more comfortable.

“But coming back to Alex, so far, I think we drive the car in pretty similar ways. Everyone has their own style, but I think we are both looking for the same thing. That is also important for the team.”

Asked by Crash.net how engaged he was with Red Bull’s bosses over his 2020 teammate, Verstappen said he had no involvement in the call – nor did he wish to have any.

“It’s up to them. I’m not the deciding factor,” Verstappen said.

“I also don’t want to be at the end of the day, because I don’t mind who is sitting next to me.

“They are the bosses, so they decide. I’m not a deciding factor in that.”

Marko claimed in Singapore that Red Bull would take a decision over the vacant seat for 2020 after next month’s Mexican Grand Prix.