"It is very important that we try to keep the key players in the team for a longer period of time because that is where the performance is and if I didn't perform I wouldn't be sitting here,” added Verstappen.

"I've always felt comfortable (at Red Bull) because for me it's like a second family. In a family, there might sometimes be, how would you say, not disagreements, but in families you can't choose family, you can choose friends.

"But, no it's good. For me, it's been the same. We just focus on the performance. I would like the chat to be a bit more about the great car we have but hopefully that will come slowly."