Formula 1 continues to debate who was the best teammate to Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, and a recent poll yielded an almost indisputable answer. Daniel Ricciardo received nearly half of the fans’ votes, cementing his position as the driver who most effectively challenged the four-time champion during his time with the team.
The result also brought recognition for Sergio Perez, currently with Cadillac. The Mexican finished in second place in the poll, reinforcing the perception that his contributions over four seasons alongside Verstappen have not always been fully valued.
Ricciardo obtained 48.33% of the votes. The Australian remains the only teammate to surpass Verstappen in the championship standings, a feat achieved in 2016 and 2017, in addition to sharing nine wins with the Dutchman across 58 races in which they competed together.
The partnership between the two is often remembered for its balance and internal competitiveness. During this period, both were required to raise their level of performance, shaping one of the most memorable duos in the team’s recent history.
Perez appeared in second place, with 27.80% of the votes. His role in Verstappen’s 2021 title, especially in defending against Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, along with the five wins achieved between 2021 and 2024, helped solidify his legacy, despite a decline in form in the two most recent seasons alongside the Dutchman.
Another highlight of the poll was Isack Hadjar. In only nine rounds as Verstappen’s teammate, the young driver captured 17.47% of fans’ preference, boosted by a streak of five consecutive points finishes between the Canadian Grand Prix and the British Grand Prix, including a fourth-place finish in Monaco.
At the bottom of the list were Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, who had difficult spells with Red Bull and received few votes. Liam Lawson, who completed only two non-scoring races before being replaced in 2025, and Yuki Tsunoda also posted modest numbers in the poll, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge of competing alongside Verstappen in Formula 1.
Results of the poll:
Daniel Ricciardo: 48.33%
Sergio Perez: 27.80%
Isack Hadjar: 17.47%
Liam Lawson: 3.49%
Yuki Tsunoda: 1.46%
Alex Albon: 0.87%
Pierre Gasly: 0.58%
