Verstappen not ashamed to trail Ricciardo

Jun.12 (GMM) Max Verstappen has suggested he feels no shame in being outperformed in the last couple of race weekends by his teammate.

That is despite the fact that, on Red Bull debut in Barcelona, the 18-year-old Dutchman actually won.

"It was impressive," admits Daniel Ricciardo, his teammate. "In a new car with a new team.

"In a sense it made our relationship a bit more intense," the Australian is quoted by the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, "but we are wise enough to use that in a positive way to make both of us better."

Indeed, the immediate Barcelona defeat preceded Ricciardo stepping up a gear, securing pole and almost winning in Monaco and again out-qualifying Verstappen in Canada.

Not only that, Verstappen crashed not once but twice in Monaco.

"My father was angry," Max smiled to the Swiss newspaper Sonntagsblick. "He said I wanted too much, and he is right. His advice is very important to me."

But Max also suggested that he feels comfortable with where he is at the moment, despite being out-paced by Ricciardo for the third consecutive time in Canada.

"I'm next to a very experienced driver and one of the best in the entire field," Verstappen is quoted by Speed Week in Montreal. "I see it that I'm already so close to him in the third race weekend is positive.

"Many people seem to forget that I've only just joined the team and don't yet have the pace that I want."

The teenager continued: "Even if I was able to win a race, I see this year as a learning year, with the objective to get used to the car and get the most out of the package."