Webber tips Ricciardo to beat Verstappen in 2017
Former Red Bull Racing star Mark Webber believes Daniel Ricciardo will hold the upper hand over Formula 1 teammate Max Verstappen in 2017.
Speaking at the Bathurst 12 Hours on Saturday, Webber thinks Ricciardo’s extra experience over Verstappen will stand him in good stead with the new, more aggressive rules this year.
Ricciardo, who finished third in last year’s drivers’ championship, has 109 F1 starts to his name, while Verstappen – who only switched to Red Bull’s top team in May last year – has 40 grands prix under his belt.
When asked how he saw the intra-team fight at Red Bull in 2017, Webber said: “It will be tight, as it was at the end of last year.
“I think Daniel still has more composure. Obviously that experience will be very useful for him, particularly in the early part of the championship.
“When you’ve seen more regulation [changes], like he has done, driven different types of cars [including V8-era Toro Rosso and HRT machinery], that’s an advantage for him.
“It’s going to be a good battle there. But the composure side is a big plus for Daniel. He’s got plenty of fire too, and it’s all about putting the weekends together.
“Max is still learning, with that unbelievable talent.”
Red Bull can take on Mercedes
Webber believes that Red Bull has a serious opportunity to contend for the title in 2017, after three years of Mercedes dominance in the hybrid-turbo era.
“I think Red Bull have had a quiet winter and they’re going to be quite strong,” said Webber.
“It really depends on who unlocks these new regulations. Traditionally, Adrian [Newey, Red Bull’s chief technical officer] has been very good at that.
“Mercedes have had the luxury of closing out the constructors’ championship very early last year, so that gives you a big chance to put your resources into the next year’s programme earlier than anyone else potentially.
"They have a very good engine, we know that’s their main strength.
“Operationally, Red Bull were the best team last year. With reliability they were the best team, Mercedes had a few technical challenges.
"So if it’s nip and tuck when down to the fine points – Red Bull are very good at that.”
Additional reporting by Andrew van Leeuwen
Share Or Save This Story
Mika Hakkinen on his darkest day in F1
Dillon: Spotter was “wrong” to shout “wreck him!” before Hamlin clash
Hamlin: NASCAR stripping Dillon of win would be “warranted”
Oscar Piastri shares how relationship with Mark Webber has evolved since F1 debut
Mark Webber’s Oscar Piastri role change was inevitable, says David Coulthard
What F1 history tells us about three-way title deciders
F1 Barcelona GP: Saturday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
“How it should be” – Mercedes backs FIA’s ADUO verdict after surprise Red Bull result
Is Red Bull a victim of F1's ADUO system? The surprising results explained
F1 confirms fans' suspicions as behind-the-scenes Kimi Antonelli footage is released
Colton Herta on first F1 weekend outing: "Every part is faster than anything I've done"
F1 Barcelona GP: George Russell beats Oscar Piastri in wide open FP3
Karun Chandhok backs McLaren to return to Miami form and challenge Mercedes in Barcelona
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Barcelona Grand Prix
Is Red Bull a victim of F1's ADUO system? The surprising results explained
Anti-racing or ingenuity? Monaco's hold-up tactics might be in F1 for good
What could drive McLaren to build its own F1 engine
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments