In probably no other team in Formula 1 are the roles divided up as clearly as in the world constructors’ champion Red Bull. Max Verstappen is the superstar in the team and is expected to win his third driver’s title this year, with Sergio Pérez supporting him as number two in the hierarchy. Or maybe not?
Checo’s father Antonio Pérez has now at least defended himself against this general assumption that his son is merely Verstappen’s wingman in the fight against Mercedes, Ferrari and Aston Martin.
“That’s a lie, so that’s clear!” the 63-year-old rumbled to the Mexican edition of “Marca”.
For Antonio Pérez it is very clear that his son Sergio is on an equal footing in the Austro-British racing team with champion Max Verstappen, who has been Formula 1 World Champion for the past two years.
“It’s a professional team that wants to win with its two drivers. […] There is no preference for anyone, it’s all speculation!” Pérez senior clarified.
Helmut Marko with a clear message towards Pérez
Recently there have been increasing quarrels between Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez within the team. The latter had repeatedly expressed criticism of communication within the team and indirectly allegations that he was not treated the same as the two-time world champion from the Netherlands.
His father Antonio expressed no doubts to the newspaper that Checo Pérez is close to Max Verstappen in terms of performance: “Red Bull has the two best tigers in the same cage. If they weren’t at the same level, what’s happening now wouldn’t be happen.”
Against this background, Antonio Pérez is unlikely to have read the latest statements by Red Bull Motorsport Director Helmut Marko regarding the team’s internal hierarchy.
The soon to be 80-year-old said quite unequivocally on this subject in the “Sport Bild”: “Looking at the whole season with 23 races, Max is the more consistent driver. Checo has its highlights, but unfortunately there are also bad weekends from time to time. It’s just a Mexican temperament. If he wants to be a serious contender for the title, he has to become more consistent.”