Max Verstappen says relationship with Ricciardo could falter

Max Verstappen has admitted that if Red Bull give him a championship winning car in 2017, his calm relationship with team mate Daniel Ricciardo may change.

The Dutchman says that for now, they are getting along swimmingly.

"When you see Daniel, he is always smiling and making everyone laugh," Verstappen told De Telegraaf newspaper. "I can do the same, I think.

"For a team, it is very important to have two drivers like that who are open and sharing all the information.

"I think you can clearly see that it was less good with Carlos (Sainz), but the situation was completely different. At Toro Rosso, Carlos and I both knew there was only one seat available at Red Bull, because Daniel was always performing well."

However, Verstappen acknowledged that it would be a very different situation and atmosphere if they were fighting for a title in 2017.

"I'm not naive," he said. "Everything will be more intense and tensions will rise. But it is up the team to make the process run smoothly so that everyone does not stop working together to improve the car, or withholds information.

"But I don't see that happening any time soon," added Verstappen.