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Max Verstappen wants Jean-Eric Vergne as his team-mate at Toro Rosso next year.

Verstappen will become the youngest driver in F1 history when he drives for Toro Rosso next year, but the identity of his team-mate has not yet been announced. Current Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat was meant to be staying at the team until Sebastian Vettel decided to leave Red Bull and opened the door for the Russian to be promoted.

Junior Red Bull drivers Carlos Sainz Jr, Pierre Gasly and Alex Lynn are all contenders for the Toro Rosso drive, but Verstappen would rather have the experience of Vergne remain at the team next year.

"For the team it's better to have an experienced driver, so in the end I think it will be better if Jean-Eric stays," he said. "I think at the end it is also better for me because he has a lot of experience and can help me to improve myself as well.

"I think he has great talent, otherwise he would not even be in F1 before. I think he deserves it [to be in F1]."

Verstappen will make his second Friday practice outing this weekend at the US Grand Prix as he becomes more integrated with the team. He said he has got to know Vergne well since joining the Red Bull programme and gets on well with the Frenchman.

"He's relaxed and he's a good guy. He's friendly to me and I appreciate that a lot. Hopefully we can work together next year."

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