Toto Wolff draws on Hamilton-Rosberg experience to explain managing ‘very tricky’ Max Verstappen-Sergio Perez title fight

The 2023 title battle is developing between Red Bull teammates Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen. Toto Wolff explains how RB may seek to manage this battle.

Toto Wolff draws on Hamilton-Rosberg experience to explain managing ‘very tricky’ Max Verstappen-Sergio Perez title fight

Sergio Perez (L) | Max Verstappen (R)

It seems that in 2023 fans and the F1 world at large will be treated to a title ‘battle’ between teammates Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Just how close this battle ends up being, it remains to be seen. However, it’s started very closely, and the Red Bull pairing have traded wins. Now, it’s the Mexican driver’s turn to respond. There have been many rumors of tensions surrounding them, especially since the Sao Paulo Grand Prix last season.

At any time, a title battle between teammates has the potential of blowing up and costing the team valuable points. This is not currently a very big concern, simply because RB19 is so dominant. Red Bull seem content to let them fight. As of yet, Verstappen and Perez have done so without a collision. They’ve not even come across each other too many times during the races – it’s been managed well. But it can still turn ugly, all it takes is one driver feeling hard done by, or a collision.

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There are many notable examples of inter-team title battles turning ugly. Alain Prost vs Ayrton Senna at McLaren is perhaps the most notable one, while the most recent one is Lewis Hamilton vs Nico Rosberg. It’s hard work managing such battles, and Toto Wolff knows all about it now. Between 2014 and 2016, Hamilton and Rosberg closely competed for the F1 title. Hamilton won two, while Rosberg won one. And the Mercedes team principal understands his rival’s situation.

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Christian Horner, too, has managed teammate title battles. Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber were part of a close title battle in 2010. Speaking about the current title fight, Wolff said as per RacingNews365.com: “I can tell you from my past, it’s a super tricky job for Christian and the team, because both drivers will obviously try to always feel that they’re fairly and equally treated, whilst at the same time, trying to have an advantage.”

Read More: “Verstappen-Perez is same as Senna-Prost,” Sergio Perez’s father makes shocking comparison, claims Checo is at par with Max

Transparency crucial to keep Max Verstappen-Sergio Perez title fight clean

Sergio Perez (L) | Max Verstappen (R)
Sergio Perez (L) | Max Verstappen (R)

Part of the reason that the Senna-Prost and Hamilton-Rosberg battles turned ugly was because of personal problems between the drivers as well. This may not happen to Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. However, still, Red Bull must do their best to ensure their relationship does not break down. Toto Wolff said: “I think, in our team, it was important to maintain a lot of transparency and clarity, discuss things before we actually go racing on a Sunday. Put boundaries [in place].”

The Austrian further commentated that Rosberg and Hamilton ‘respected’ Mercedes’ opinion on things: “And, at the end, both drivers, even with Nico and Lewis, respected the team’s opinion, whilst we acknowledge that they have a fight between the two of them.” Of course, despite the fact that the machinery was very dominant, they wouldn’t have wanted them crashing too much for other reasons than the title fight.

As the season progress, managing the Perez-Verstappen battle will get even harder. That is if it remains so close. If either one of them starts running away with it, then it’ll be far easier for them, except for the potential resentment that can build up. The man that looks most likely to run away with it is definitely Verstappen, who has had the measure of Perez for most of their time as teammates.

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