Max Verstappen gives cagey verdict when asked about driving with Lewis Hamilton at Red Bull

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Max Verstappen was far from impressed when asked about how he would feel lining up alongside Lewis Hamilton at Red Bull.

During the final driver’s press conference of the season, Verstappen and some of his rivals were reflecting on the 2023 season.

It’s been a campaign to remember for Max Verstappen and Red Bull having walked away with both the Drivers’ and Constructors’’ Championships.

They’ve done so in a magnificent manner, doubling the totals of their nearest rivals in both standings.

However, that has put some pressure on Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez who hasn’t been able to keep up with the Dutchman since his last win in Azerbaijan.

Stories surfaced recently that Hamilton’s camp had reportedly made contact with Red Bull about driving alongside Verstappen.

The seven-time world champion has had a strong season considering the car he has available to him but is nowhere near the pace of the Austrian team.

It would be easy to understand his frustrations, but he signed a new contract with Mercedes just a few months ago keeping him at the team for the next two years.

Verstappen quizzed about Hamilton joining him at Red Bull

After how he would react to being paired with the experienced Brit, Verstappen said: “What would it add to know?

Sky Sports journalist David Croft replied: “I’d love to know your thoughts!”

Verstappen wasn’t amused and said: “No, because I don’t know it’s not happening! There’s no point to make up stories if it’s not happening.

Croft was keen to get an answer and asked: “Would you like it to happen?” to which Verstappen responded: “I wouldn’t mind, anyone [referring to the rest of the grid].

“I don’t want to put it like particularly on Lewis you know, there are so many great drivers as well, so sometimes it just doesn’t work out like that.”

Verstappen and Hamilton being teamed up at Red Bull would be a formidable pairing but incredibly difficult to manage.

Christian Horner has spoken in the past about not wanting to have two alpha drivers in the team at once.

The partnership between Verstappen and Perez works well in the same way that Valtteri Bottas aided Hamilton in winning several titles at Mercedes.

The idea of a stronger driver joining Verstappen at Red Bull has been suggested before, with Fernando Alonso previously linked.

However, it’s unlikely to happen for a very long time, with everything seemingly perfect within Helmut Marko’s team.