Sergio Perez demands Max Verstappen to abide by Red Bull’s orders as the two go head-to-head this season

Sergio Perez stood firmly on his views for Max Verstappen to accept team orders.

Sergio Perez demands Max Verstappen to abide by Red Bull’s orders as the two go head-to-head this season

Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are considered the two main challengers for the 2023 F1 world title. Verstappen seeks to win his third consecutive championship, while Perez aims to bring home his maiden title win. Subsequently, things have heated up at Red Bull as both drivers try to outpace one another. However, Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez reckons that his teammate must follow team orders.

The Mexican driver believed defeating Max Verstappen would push him to the limit. Although, Perez wanted to ensure that Verstappen would do as per the instructions given by the team. Sergio said, “I think it will be very important that we both respect whatever has been told by the team.” Previously, Max had defied team orders and refused to help Checo in 2022.

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The 33-year-old acknowledged that the Milton Keynes-based team might be in a tough spot this season as Max Verstappen and Perez will be racing against each other at every race for the championship. Sergio admitted, “We are only on race number three [of 23 in 2023], so there is a long way to go, and it’s better just to be fighting one guy, especially if it’s your teammate, because that means the team is in a unique position.”

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“Makes you a better driver,” Sergio Perez on being teammates with Max Verstappen

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This is the third season for this pairing as teammates in F1

The Mexican driver joined Red Bull in 2021. Sergio managed to fill in the role of a second driver perfectly for Red Bull. As Perez helped Max Verstappen clinch his maiden F1 championship in 2021. Additionally, Checo also ensured that the Christian Horner-led team could finally win its first F1 constructors’ world title since 2013 in 2022.

During his time at Red Bull, Sergio Perez admits that he has improved significantly as the 33-year-old gets to be in the same garage as Max Verstappen. Perez concluded, “Having Max as a reference, it makes you a better driver. Certainly it takes everything out of you and also with the team. I’m more at one with the car and with the team, and I understand which direction I have to be able to take with the car [in terms of set-up].”

Thus, Sergio Perez has expressed the need for Max Verstappen to follow instructions given by Red Bull this season. Rumors had spread previously that tensions had grown between the two drivers. Subsequently, it is important for Red Bull to keep the situation in control and ensure that the two continue to race for the team’s objectives without compromising each other.

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