“What’s in it for Sergio to help?” – Red Bull warned of ‘banana skins’ down the road amid Max Verstappen-Sergio Perez “friction”
F1 presenter David Croft has cautioned the Austrian team over a potential future conflict between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
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David Croft, Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen
Red Bull Racing is in a league of its own in F1 this season. The Austrian team has bagged two 1-2 finishes in the opening rounds of the year. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have both won a Grand Prix. Although, tensions seem on the horizon. As Verstappen and Perez compete against one another. Renowned F1 presenter, David Croft has cautioned the Milton-Keynes team about conflict in the future.
The 52-year-old pointed out the uneasy atmosphere in the cooldown room in Saudi Arabia. Sergio Perez was unhappy after being instructed to do slower lap times than Max Verstappen. Crofty said, “In the cooldown room after the race, there was still friction between the two drivers. Checo [Perez] was not a happy man at being asked to do target lap times that were slower than his team-mate.”
David further talked about the pending contract extension for the Mexican driver, which would not incentivize him to help Max Verstappen. The F1 presenter explained, “Perez is in the last year of his contract and if there are no signs of another deal coming, what’s in it for Sergio to help his team-mate in the way Red Bull would like?”
The British commentator further expressed how this could lead to potential teammate conflict at the team. David Croft said, “I think there are a few banana skins down the road.” Crofty even mentioned how Red Bull might not be pleased with the problems it has faced in 2023 so far. He explained, “I am not sure everything is how [Red Bull Team Principal] Christian Horner would like it and how the team would like it for a smooth domination.”
Discover: Why is Max Verstappen so angry?
“He can barely break a smile!” David Croft on Max Verstappen’s father post-race in Jeddah
After Perez came home in first place in Saudi Arabia, the entire paddock cheered for the Mexican driver. However, there was one face in the crowd who was not so thrilled. Max Verstappen’s dad and former F1 driver Jos Verstappen. Jos gave a rather neutral facial expression when the race winner came to greet his team members. Crofty noticed this and expressed his own views regarding the senior Verstappen.
The 52-year-old highlighted the fact that Max Verstappen had a great recovery drive and continued to lead the championship. Yet, his father Jos could not even smile. He stated, “As for Max’s dad, all is clearly now well in Jos Verstappen’s mind when his son finishes and leads the world championship, yet he can barely break a smile!” A dig at the former Benetton driver who wants his son to win every race he competes in.
Thus, David Croft has made his point clear. The British presenter has warned the Austrian giant about what could be in store this season. As both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez go head-to-head for the championship. Certainly, Team boss Christian Horner would be looking into how this rivalry shapes up. Even potentially addressing the situation before things go too far.
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Armaan Agarwal
(2310 Articles Published)