Max Verstappen made an unfamiliar entrance to the Mexico GP paddock on Thursday, as he was flanked by two large bodyguards. This heightened security comes in a year where the number of paddock passes has been significantly reduced following drivers’ complaints from the previous season.
Yuki Tsunoda of Alpha Tauri shared his relief on the situation, stating, “For me, it’s easier now and I like it.” However, outside the paddock, the atmosphere is different. Fernando Alonso experienced overwhelming attention at a Hugo Boss sponsor event, with as many as 4000 fans gathering, leading to an incident where a fan unexpectedly jumped onto the stage and onto Alonso himself. “Yeah, it was a surprise,” he smiled, with video evidence showing he took the intrusion with good nature.
Verstappen’s situation is particularly unique. To manage the intense attention, race organizers have put up billboards throughout Mexico City, reminding the public to respect local hero Sergio Perez’s teammate. Perez weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the need for a positive message about leaving rivalries on rather than off the track. “I think it’s important that we give this message, because I think the media likes to create this sort of rivalry outside the track. Let’s show that we are the most educated fans in the world. We need to live up to who we are and show how great we are as a country and culture.”
Verstappen, though, experienced a wave of boos from the crowd in Austin a week prior, leading to the team’s decision to employ personal bodyguards for his safety in Mexico. When questioned about this, Verstappen reassured, “I feel safe here and I have received a great welcome – as always actually. In general, the behavior of the fans could be better in some places, but this way it’s just a bit easier for me to move around.”
Despite the heightened security, Verstappen reported no issues since his arrival, stating, “I got here on Tuesday and I haven’t had any trouble and I don’t expect any.” He attributed part of the challenge to the rapid influx of new Formula 1 fans. “Formula 1 has gained a lot of new fans in the last few years, and not all of them react the same way. Of course, there is nothing wrong with supporting your driver, but I don’t think it’s ok to whistle and shout when an athlete is honored by his country’s anthem. So it’s good that the organisers are raising awareness.”
Verstappen also commented on the recent controversy involving Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s disqualifications in Austin. He called for the FIA to be more vigilant, suggesting, “The only thing that needs to be changed is to also check the team’s second car if it turns out that the first one does not comply with the regulations.”
