Sergio Perez rules out helping Max Verstappen if the Dutchman refuses to return the favor in 2023
The Mexican driver expects equal support for the championship from his teammate this season.
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Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen
Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez will spend his third season at Red Bull Racing this year. The Mexican driver was signed before the 2021 F1 season. As a driver who can match Max Verstappen on the Austrian team. Although, Checo was still forced to play second fiddle to the now two-time world champion. So much so, Verstappen refused to help out his teammate at the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2022.
Perez has affirmed his stance before the start of the upcoming F1 season. The 33-year-old expects the same initiative from his teammate. Moreover, Sergio Perez has clarified that he would not help out Verstappen if the Dutchman does not repay such support. Checo stated on Fox Sports Mexico, “It’s always important to work as a team and obviously if I see that I don’t receive support when I need it, I won’t give it either.”
The Mexican driver declared not having any expectations for helping out his teammate this season as both Red Bull drivers try to compete for the world title. Sergio Perez said, “That’s obvious, but I don’t expect any of that.” The 33-year-old lost out on the runner-up spot in the F1 world championship last year partly due to Verstappen’s refusal to obey team orders.
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Sergio Perez expects a six-car championship fight in 2023
The Mexican driver mentioned his expectations for this season. Sergio Perez anticipates a highly competitive year in the sport as the 33-year-old hopes to see six drivers fighting for the title. Checo continued, “I think we are very clear about the important thing, it will be a very intense season, surely with six cars fighting for the championship.” It seems that Perez expects Lewis Hamilton and George Russell to be in the mix as well this season.
Sergio Perez emphasized the need for the Mexican driver and Max Verstappen to complement one another as Red Bull Racing would do its best to defend the Constructors’ title. The 33-year-old said, “so it will be very important to work as a team in many races.” It remains to be seen whether harmony is maintained between these two fierce teammates at Milton-Keynes.
Sergio Perez will not be playing the role of the second driver at Red Bull this season. The 33-year-old will not be shy of challenging his teammate on track. However, Checo is open to teamwork for the benefit of the Austrian team. However, this would only be possible if Verstappen agreed to repay the debt to his teammate in the necessary situations.
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Armaan Agarwal
(2333 Articles Published)