Ricciardo has been 'destabilised' by Verstappen

Sky Sports Formula One expert Martin Brundle believes that Daniel Ricciardo has been 'destabilised' by Max Verstappen's rise through the ranks of the sport and with Red Bull, but insisted that the Australian has the ability to fight for the no.1 spot with the constructor team.

Verstappen has been tipped by many to be a future world champion and already has three Grand Prix race victories at the age of 20. F1 legend Niki Lauda claimed this season that Verstappen could become one of the best drivers the sport has ever seen.

Ricciardo, similarly, is seen to be a world champion in the making, but Brundle thinks that his development has been hampered by Verstappen's quick rise from Toro Rosso to Red Bull - a situation which happened previously when Ricciardo battled alongside Sebastian Vettel.

"Stunning overtakes and great races," Brundle told Sky Sports, while discussing Ricciardo’s 2017 season.

"He's a burglar who steals victories - every time somebody leaves something on the table, he hoovers them up.

"But Daniel has been destabilised by Max, who has claimed the high ground within the team and it's an issue.

"In the same way that Daniel stole the team off Vettel, Max has done the same to him.

"But Ricciardo has the speed and skill to fight back, if he wants to stay in the long-term."

Ricciardo just beat Verstappen in the F1 rankings this year as the Red Bull duo finished fifth and sixth respectively.