WATCH: Max Verstappen labels Sergio Perez ‘lovely’ after struggling to find words to describe him

Max Verstappen is used as a viral meme for his iconic "simply lovely" radio reply.

WATCH: Max Verstappen labels Sergio Perez ‘lovely’ after struggling to find words to describe him

Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez (via IMAGO)

In anticipation of the Mexican GP, the Red Bull team decided to pay tribute to their Mexican driver, Sergio Perez, with a unique glimpse into the world of their close-knit crew. They posed a challenging question to the Red Bull employees: Describe Perez in just one word. It’s a word game that seemed simple but was far from it.

The initial challenge fell upon Perez’s teammate, the reigning champion, Max Verstappen. Stumped, he struggled to describe Perez in a single word. But the real fun began when the rest of Perez’s team was asked to contribute. They effortlessly painted a vivid portrait of their colleague with words like “resilient,” “humble,” “determined,” “flamboyant,” and “fighter.”

Yet, Max Verstappen, often known for his straightforwardness, found a unique word that summed up his perception of Sergio Perez. After a while, he simply uttered: 

I'd just call him lovely.

This choice of words was a nod to a viral meme associated with Verstappen himself, who had a penchant for describing his race victories and pole positions as “simply lovely.”

The Verstappen-Perez duo’s relationship throughout the season has been nothing short of intriguing. They initially fought neck-and-neck for the championship title, setting the stage for an intense battle. However, as the races unfolded, Checo’s performance took a dip, while Verstappen’s dominance soared to new heights. In a remarkable feat, he clinched the championship title with five races to spare, leaving no room for contention.

Max Verstappen is set to get two bodyguards for security at the Mexican GP

Despite Verstappen’s remarkable achievements and undisputed dominance, his success has not come without its share of controversies, particularly among Mexican fans. The growing tension and competition between the two drivers inevitably resulted in divided support from their respective fan bases. Mexican fans, fervently backing their homegrown hero Perez, viewed Verstappen with a certain degree of skepticism.

Max Verstappen with bodyguards
Max Verstappen with bodyguards. (Credits: Racing News 365)

The video is undoubtedly released as a PR damage control and fans surely took notice of that. With the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix looming, the team has taken the unorthodox step of enlisting two bodyguards to safeguard Verstappen. The decision stems from a less-than-warm reception the Dutchman has encountered at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, despite his impressive victory from the sixth grid position. 

On the podium, he was met with boos, possibly due to his intense rivalry with teammate Sergio Perez, a beloved Mexican driver. Perez’s struggles against Verstappen this season have stirred doubts about his future with the team, prompting Red Bull to prioritize their star’s safety. Verstappen’s calm led Red Bull to preemptively hire bodyguards in Mexico.

Verstappen’s performance has been exceptional at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit, with four wins in the last five Mexican Grand Prix races. As the Mexican Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on Max, his unique security measures, and the dynamic within the Red Bull team.

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