“Segio Perez- Max Verstappen conflict is the only weakness in Red Bull,” claims, Prominent F1 journalist
Max Verstappen leads the drivers championship 15 points ahead of teammate Sergio Perez.
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Image via F1.
Red Bull had a brilliant start to the 2023 Formula 1 season. They emerged as the strongest team and are rightfully the season’s favorites. Many refer to the RB19 as a “rocket ship”. Such is the pace of the car. The first three races of the season have shown the RB19’s potential. Once the DRS activates, it is easy for the Red Bull drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, to breeze through their rivals.
The team finished in first and second place in Bahrain and Jeddah. As it stands, Red Bull might get away with another championship this season. It will be their third consecutive Formula 1 title. However, Will Buxton, an F1 journalist, believes there is a weakness in Red Bull. It is the conflict between Verstappen and Perez. This might bring about the team’s downfall if it is not sorted.
During the Australian GP weekend warm-up, Will Buxton stated, “The problem in the team goes back to Monaco last year, and the fact is that Max is not at all happy and doesn’t look like he’s ready to let it go.” He referred to the qualifying in the 2022 Monaco GP, where Sergio Perez had a crash that prevented Max Verstappen from getting the pole position. Perez went on to win the race capitalizing on Ferrari’s poor strategy. The two-time world champion was third on the podium.
Related: F1 Australian GP: Why was Max Verstappen not penalized for the second restart?
Will Buxton reveals that the conflict between the Red Bull drivers will be the team’s downfall
Buxton further stated, “I think the rest of the paddock is waiting for the conflict between the two to explode because that might be the only weakness in the team this year.” The other teams on the grid do not have the performance to match Red Bull. They can only catch up if the Red Bull duo makes mistakes that cost them points.
In the 2022 Brazilian GP, Max Verstappen refused to let Perez through the final lap. It cost the Mexican driver significant points to fight for the runner-up position. Soon after, Perez lashed out, saying, “I don’t understand his attitude, he has two championships thanks to me”. This dates back to the most controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, where Checo defended against Lewis Hamilton, who was fighting for the champion along with Verstappen. In the end, Verstappen won his maiden championship. It was a night that will never be forgotten for various reasons.
In the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP, Perez was brilliant throughout the race and made no mistakes, and Verstappen had a remarkable recovery. However, the duo was not happy. There was tension between the Red Bull drivers after Verstappen pushed for the fastest lap and took the championship lead by one point. Back then, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel had similar tussle fighting for the championship. At one point, Webber felt Red Bull was favoring Vettel. However, Sergio Perez clarified that Red Bull is rooting for him and Verstappen. According to the drivers and Christian Horner, all is well within the team.
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