Chatting with ViaPlay, the two-time world champion highlighted the function Valtteri Bottas performed alongside teammate Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for example.
Bottas was Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate for 5 seasons between 2017 and 2021 however was by no means in a position to mount a title problem or pose a critical risk to the Briton.
As a substitute, the Finn typically discovered himself consigned to a supporting function, aiding Hamilton in his title fights towards Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in 2017 and 2018, and doing related throughout Hamilton’s titanic battle towards Verstappen in 2021.
Solely in 2019 and 2020 – when Mercedes held a aggressive benefit over the remainder of the sphere – did Bottas go up towards Hamilton in a head-to-head combat, which he misplaced in convincing vogue on each events.
“Yearly he begins contemporary, however after just a few races you realise it’s not going to occur once more and also you settle for your function,” Verstappen mentioned.
“He [Bottas] nonetheless completed on podiums, he received just a few races and took pole positions.
“You simply have to just accept that the motive force subsequent to you is only a bit higher. That’s tremendous, that may occur.
“It’s vital that he accepted it. Some drivers can’t try this after which it goes fully unsuitable.
“Then they don’t survive for very lengthy. I’m not going to call names, however you need to settle for your function. You’ll be able to’t dwell in a fairytale world.”
A coded message to Perez?
Are Verstappen’s feedback a thinly-veiled message aimed toward Crimson Bull teammate Sergio Perez?
The pair have been on the centre of a group orders row in Brazil after Verstappen refused Crimson Bull’s request to permit Perez to cross him within the closing levels of the Interlagos race with a view to help the Mexican’s bid to take second-place within the drivers’ standings.
It was reported that Verstappen’s reluctance to assist Perez out was retaliation for Perez costing him pole place – and doubtlessly the win – by crashing in qualifying in Monaco earlier this yr.
Talking on the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen insisted he wouldn’t apologise to Perez for his or her bust-up.
“It’s not about saying sorry,” Verstappen mentioned to Sky. “It’s extra about what occurred this yr. One thing occurred.
“We didn’t talk properly sufficient to one another and to the group. I gave my stance in Mexico about it.
“We should always have cleared it means sooner, then we wouldn’t have had that subject in Brazil. Like a relationship, communication is vital. You at all times say communication is vital in a relationship, and this is sort of a relationship.”
Crimson Bull conceded they “made some errors” in a press release launched within the aftermath of the Brazil fallout that defended Verstappen’s actions.