Max Verstappen on Ferrari's Driver Clash: Avoiding Two Number-One Drivers

Max Verstappen, speaking in Brazil, shared his view on the recent clash between Ferrari teammates at the Mexico Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver sees the incident as a natural outcome of having two drivers both considered number one within the same team.

"If you simply had one clear number one and one clear number two, they would have gone through that corner in first and second, and they would have finished first and second as well. Or maybe first and third, but that’s fine too. As a team, you’re still scoring good points," Verstappen said.

Verstappen suggested that the tension arose because neither driver was willing to yield, as both believed they could win. This idea aligns with his long-held belief about how a team should be structured.

Verstappen’s Take on Team Dynamics

The four-time world champion stated he would avoid signing two number-one drivers if he were in charge of a team. According to him, this setup leads to conflicts like the one Ferrari experienced.

"I’ve said it before. People often disagree with me, but if I were a team principal – if I had my own team – I would never sign two number-one drivers, because then you get this. Then this is normal. One isn’t going to give way to the other, because of course they both think they can win, and that’s how I am too. So if I were a team principal, I would never go for two number-one drivers. Some people completely disagree with that, but that’s fine as well."

He also noted that sometimes drivers don’t have much choice when joining teams, which can complicate matters.

The Importance of a Competitive Car and Supportive Teammates

Verstappen emphasized that having a strong car often removes the need for two leading drivers. A reliable and competent number two can help secure wins and points effectively.

"If you have a good car, then you don’t necessarily need that either, two number-one drivers. Just a decent number two," he said. "Throughout Formula 1 history, it’s been clear that something like that works perfectly well, even for years."

This reflects the setups of successful teams in the past, like Lewis Hamilton working alongside Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes, and Michael Schumacher paired with Rubens Barrichello at Ferrari.

Background on Ferrari Incident and Reactions

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur met with drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after their confrontation at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. While Leclerc pointed to the track layout as a major factor in the collision, Verstappen views it as confirmation of the issues caused by having two equal lead drivers.

Key Quotes from Max Verstappen:

• On two number-one drivers: "You get this. One isn’t going to give way to the other because they both think they can win."
• On choosing teammates: "Sometimes you might not have a choice in that either, but it does make everything more complicated."
• On the value of a good car: "If you have a good car, then you don’t necessarily need two number-one drivers. Just a decent number two."

Verstappen’s comments underline how team dynamics and driver roles play a significant role in race outcomes beyond just the skill behind the wheel.