D🏅aniel Ricciardo concedes Max Verstappen’s improvements since stepping up to Red Bull puts them on an even footing in the hunt for maiden Formula 1 world titles, but wants the team to b🐟e in the championship fight regardless of his team-mate relationship.

Since Versta꧙ppen graduated from Toro Rosso and won on his Red Bull debut at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix Ricciardo♐ feels the Dutch driver has added greater consistency to his outright pace and relishes a ‘fun’ fight inside the Red Bull squad.

With Verstappen signing a new deal to stay at the team until the end of 2⛄020, the 20-year-old is considered the priority for Red Bull with Ricciardo assessing his options beyond 2018 when his contract expires.

While Ricciardo acceౠpts the threat Verstappen can pose to his F1 world title ambitions at Red Bull, the Australian is eager to see the team become regular c🤡hampionship contenders against Mercedes and Ferrari before worrying about his team-mate.

“We’ve learned a lot this year and I believe we’re going to🧜 put in the right work in the winter to start strong,” Ricciaꦿrdo said. “Max improved this year from last year.

“I won’t say came a long way because he was𝕴 always there but he certainly improved and I think next year it’s going to be a lot of fun, so I’m looking forward to that. It would be a good problem to have.

“If we’re both fighting at the front andꦆ having💟 some battles. If it’s ultimately deciding a world title we would happily run with that challenge.

“I believe next year we will close the gap. Is it enough to👍 fight for a title?🌊 I think we can certainly get close but we’ll see. I don’t want to predict too early.”

Despite Verstappen winning two races in 2017 to Riccia🦋rdo’s one, the Australian driver outscored his Red Bull team-mate by 32 points by the end of the season with the pair finishing fifth and sixth respectively in the F1 world drivers’ championship.