Max Verstappen refused to predict whether Alex Albon will offer a bigger challenge as his new Red Bull teammate.

The Thai driver got the call during the summer break to replace Pierre Gasly and now faces the difficult task of going up against the Dutchman.

Sitting beside each other on Thursday ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix though, Max was complimentary of Albon.

"I knew before, they told me when I was on the simulator before the holidays so for me it was not a surprise but yeah, I mean I’ve been there before myself. So yeah," he said on finding out about the change.

"I guess time will tell [on how successful we can be together]. It’s difficult for me to answer but Alex is a great guy.

"I’ve known him for a long time and a bit like Pierre we raced against each other in 2010 and yeah he’s a fast guy, and as you can hear he is really excited so that’s always good."

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The main reason why Gasly was axed, however, was the gap between him and Verstappen and the two-time winner this season doesn't know if Albon will be any closer. 

"Well, it’s a bit difficult to say at the moment. So… I rate Alex very high, but I also rated Pierre very high, so we’ll find out," he added.

Max was a little unhappy though when it was suggested that drivers might worry about their career's being "damaged" as his teammate.

"I don’t know. I think everybody is always trying the best they can. I don’t know what to answer!" he replied describing the question as "shitty".

When Albon himself was asked about going up against Verstappen, he conceded beating the 21-year-old wasn't his goal.

"On my side, it’s just really about focusing on myself, I’m not looking too much at Max at the minute," he said.

"I know that I’m coming in quite experienced and I think the team know that as well, so it will just be about step-by-step and start from the beginning, know my team, know-how everyone works and then understand the car and then just see.

"Treat every weekend race-by-race really and if we start picking up results towards the end that’s obviously great but that’s not really the focus at the minute."