Triple Components One world champion Max Verstappen mentioned he could be glad to have both Sergio Perez or Daniel Ricciardo as a teammate subsequent season in feedback that did nothing to dampen hypothesis about potential change at Purple Bull.

Perez, 33, has a contract for 2024 however his poor type in comparison with Verstappen’s dominance of 16 wins in 19 races in 2023 has fuelled of discuss his future.

Skilled Australian Ricciardo, 34, was Verstappen’s teammate in from 2016 to 2018 and his return to the Purple Bull fold with AlphaTauri this season leaves him because the favorite to switch Perez.

Verstappen informed reporters on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos on Thursday that he had a terrific relationship with each.

“They’ve been nice teammates and it is less than me on the finish of the day to make these sort of selections as a result of I am very targeted alone efficiency,” he mentioned.

“So if it is Checo subsequent yr, then nice. I’ve had a terrific working relationship with him but additionally personally I feel he is a terrific man. And if it is Daniel then additionally we are going to get alongside fantastic and we’ve got a good time.

“F1 is usually a robust sport. You are asking these sorts of questions however perhaps additionally nothing occurs proper? We’ll see,” added the 26-year-old.

Ricciardo, who secured AlphaTauri’s greatest results of the season when he completed seventh in Mexico final Sunday, informed reporters there had been no talks with Purple Bull about subsequent season.

“All of the stuff round my contract subsequent yr has been associated to AlphaTauri. I might say that is truthfully so far as that goes,” he added.

Staff boss Christian Horner additionally insisted after the Mexico race that Perez’s future was not contingent on whether or not he can safe second within the championship.

Perez is preventing for second place total and is 20 factors away from Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton with three races remaining. Purple Bull have by no means ended a season with their drivers one-two within the standings.

“I am assured in Checo [Perez] that he can keep forward, as a result of I do assume that on common we’ve got the quicker automobile,” mentioned Verstappen.