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Topics: Formula 1, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton
Max Verstappen brutally snubbed Lewis Hamilton and current teammate Sergio Perez when picking his dream driver pairing.
The Red Bull driver is bidding to win his third world title in a row as the 2023 season fast approaches.
Formula 1 will make its long-awaited return next week as the season gets underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix.
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Ahead of the first race, Verstappen was asked by Mobil 1 to come up with his dream driver pairing.
The Dutchman decided to overlook rival Hamilton and current teammate Perez.
Verstappen said: “I find it really hard [to pick] the drivers because I think there are a lot of good drivers.
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“I think I would probably go for an experienced one, so I would go for Fernando. Then I would take a young guy and I would put Lando in the car, so Fernando and Lando.”
The 25-year-old was also asked to pick a team principal to take charge of his dream team. He said: “Of the current people who are capable of being a team principal, I would always go for Christian.”
Perhaps it was no surprise that Verstappen snubbed Hamilton as their on-track rivalry over the last few years has been heated at times.
However, many expected him to pick Perez in recognition of the efforts the Mexican put in to help Verstappen clinch the 2021 and 2022 titles.
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Red Bull boss Christian Horner hinted that Perez may have to play second fiddle again in 2023.
He said to Auto Motor und Sport: “The form that Max has been in means he is the man to beat.
“He’s the reigning world champion and Checo has to strive for that, otherwise why is he competing?
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“I think the reality is that, in all probability, Max over the season is likely to be the [better] candidate for the world championship but Checo has the capability to be right there. We need both drivers performing at the best of their ability for the Constructors’ Championship.
“Checo knows exactly what is expected from him, and being Max’s teammate is a pretty daunting prospect for any driver.”
The Bahrain Grand Prix will take place on Sunday 5 March.