Following boos and hostility from Sergio Perez fans at last weekend’s United States Grand Prix, it has been confirmed that Max Verstappen will be accompanied by bodyguards during his teammate’s home Grand Prix this weekend.
Three time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen was greeted by a chorus of boos on the podium at last weekend’s United States Grand Prix, courtesy of fans of his teammate Sergio Perez. With Perez struggling to match his Red Bull teammate, his loyal Mexican fan base have become quite hostile towards Verstappen.
“We just want to be on the safe side.”
With concerns raised about the attitude of Perez’ fans towards Verstappen, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has announced that the champion will be accompanied by bodyguards at this weekend’s event, Perez’ home race in Mexico City.
“Max doesn’t actually want that and is relaxed,” Marko said of the decision to hire protection for Verstappen to F1-Insider. “But we have responsibility for him. So we just want to be on the safe side.”
“The weaker teammate has to live with it.”
While fans of Perez lay blame at Verstappen’s feet for the Mexican’s underperformance with Red Bull, ex Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher celebrated Verstappen’s talent behind the wheel. Speaking with F1-insider.com, Schumacher compared Verstappen to previous champions who dominated the sport.
“Max makes the difference,” Schumacher said. “Every great champion tries to have the car tailored to his needs and developed. It was the same with my brother, the same with Senna and also with Lewis Hamilton.
“The weaker teammate has to live with it. Every driver has it in their own hands to convince their team. A Formula 1 team always sides with the driver who promises more success. That’s how business was and is.”
“It would be difficult for any other driver.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner defended Perez despite his lack of performance against Verstappen, noting the mental challenge the Mexican faces in competing against the three time champion.
“Sergio [Perez] probably has the toughest job in Formula 1” Horner said. “Because Max drives at such a high level and does so constantly. You have to cope with that mentally first. Because every time you see his data you ask yourself: ‘How the hell does he actually do that?’ Max has been driving at such a high level for three or four years that it would be difficult for any other driver.”
While the animosity directed at Verstappen from fans of his teammate seems to have grown meteorically in recent times, the spark which started the fire can be pinpointed at last season’s Brazilian Grand Prix, during which Verstappen blatantly ignored team orders and refused to let his teammate pass him.
On lap 67 of last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix, Perez was told to allow Verstappen to pass him, with the caveat that he would be allowed to repass him at the end of the Grand Prix should Verstappen be unable to pass Alonso ahead of them.
On the final lap, GP Lambiase said to Verstappen: “This is the final lap, Max. Max, if we don’t pass Fernando on the exit of 12 can we let Checo through, please, let Checo back through.”
“Don’t worry about the DRS, Max. Let Checo through. Max, let Checo through, please.”
Meanwhile, Perez was told by his engineer that he would be allowed to pass Verstappen after the final corner. After the chequered flag when Verstappen had refused to let his teammate pass, he was asked by Lambiase what happened, replying with: “I told you already last time you guys, don’t ask that again to me. Okay? Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I stand by it.”
Perez meanwhile simply stated “Yeah. It shows who he really is.” Showing his frustration over the radio.
This incident, coupled with comments from Perez’ father Antonio Perez highlighting alleged favouritism towards Verstappen within the team, added fuel to the fire leading to the situation we currently find ourselves in; with Red Bull obliged to hire bodyguards for Verstappen.
