Webber: Red Bull will support driver who is ahead

Former Formula One driver Mark Webber has given his opinion on where the loyalties of Red Bull will lie between Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen this season, and believes that the team will simply prioritise the driver who is ahead in the rankings.

Verstappen has already signed a new contract with Red Bull, while Daniel Ricciardo has stalled on putting pen to paper as he wants to see how the new 2018 vehicle performs this season. This situation has made figures in the sport question whether Red Bull will treat Verstappen favourably over Ricciardo, but Webber thinks that the team will prioritise the driver who is performing better.

"Red Bull will support the guy that's leading the championship and doing the business," Webber told foxsports.com.au.

"If that's Daniel, I reckon he's still in great shape there, to be honest, because he is a Red Bull product. I don't think Helmut [Marko] would be disappointed to see Daniel as World Champion.

"But he loves Max as well. They're both his favourite guys."

These quotes come from the same week in which Webber urged his compatriot, Ricciardo, to focus on the threat of Verstappen rather than any contract negotiations or potential approaches from the likes of Mercedes.

"If he's beating Max and Red Bull are flying again, why would he leave?" the Australian continued.

"At the end of the day, I don't think Dan's too bothered what colour the car is. He just wants to win. That's what he's aiming to do, and it's hard to win consistently. They don't hand them out.

"He's totally capable of it, but he's just got to find himself in a position where he can get that opportunity."