Sergio Perez is making a heartfelt appeal to his home crowd: extend your cheers and support to my teammate, Max Verstappen, too.
Just last week, across the border in Austin, the air was thick with boos directed at Verstappen, showcasing the fans’ tumultuous sentiments during a season sprinkled with uncertainty about Perez’s future at Red Bull. “The support in Austin was crazy,” Perez acknowledged, well aware of the passionate backing he receives. “So I can’t even imagine what Mexico will be like. I want Mexico to come out, but to support the whole Red Bull team – not just me.”
These comments aren’t falling on deaf ears, as Red Bull’s head honchos, Dr. Helmut Marko and Christian Horner, have expressed their unconcern about the potential storm of disapproval awaiting them in Mexico, just 10 kilometers from the bustling city center. The race organizers are even pulling out all the PR stops, with billboards around Mexico City featuring both Verstappen and Perez, accompanied by a unifying message in Spanish: “There’s no rivalry off the track!”
Yet, behind the scenes, precautions are being taken. Dr. Helmut Marko reveals that Red Bull has brought on two personal bodyguards for Verstappen for the race weekend. “Max doesn’t actually want that and is relaxed,” he shared with Auto Bild, “But we have a responsibility to him. So we just want to be on the safe side.”
Marko also highlighted Verstappen’s crucial role in supporting Perez’s race to retain his second-place standing in the 2023 drivers’ standings, though he ruled out any explicit team orders. “Every point that Max takes away from (Lewis) Hamilton helps Perez in the end,” the 80-year-old Austrian stated, pointing out the subtle ways Verstappen can contribute to Perez’s success.
