Red Bull’s partnership of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo is the best the team has ever had, according to Christian Horner.

Following the pair’s last race as team mates on Sunday Horner, who has run Red Bull since it entered F1 in 2005, said he told their post-race debrief “that may have been the best partnership we had in racing.”

“In fact,” he added, “it’s probably the best one I’ve ever had in my career in terms of dynamics between the two of them respect the way they have pushed each other or they both benefit along the way they operate himself within the team. It’s been a very good rapport and they’ve both pushed each other to new levels.”

Verstappen joined Ricciardo at the team at the fifth race of 2016, but the latter will move to Renault for the 2019 F1 season.

Horner said Ricciardo had blossomed since moving up to Red Bull from Toro Rosso.

It’s been a pleasure to have him in the team the last five years. He’s been with Red Bull since 2007 and it’s been great to see him grow and evolve.

“Ironically when we were first faced with the dilemma of who do we replace Mark Webber with: there was Jean Eric Vergne, there was Daniel Ricardos, there was Kimi Raikkonen. And our biggest concern about Daniel wasn’t his pace it was we hadn’t seen him race wheel-to-wheel while he was in a Toro Rosso.

“But ever since he got in a Red Bull racing car he’s done nothing but overtake and arguably has become the best overtaker in the business. He’s driven some fantastic races for us.

“His personality has been a tremendous fit for the brand. His energy in that team has been hugely popular. The dynamic with him and Max, you’ve only got to at the mischief that they get up to. It’s been great.

“All we can do as that chapter closes is wish him the best of luck for the future. And a new chapter opens with another young talent named Pierre Gasly.”

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

2018 F1 season