Verstappen denies story about pushing Pérez out of Red Bull
Nov.25 - Max Verstappen has hit back at rumours he might be pushing Sergio Perez out of the sister Red Bull cockpit.
In Brazil, the picture of a harmonious team was smashed when the reigning world champion refused to let Perez past to maximise the Mexican's chance of securing second overall in 2022.
Perez's father Antonio then poured fuel on the fire by insisting that his son is pushing for an equal hierarchy at Red Bull.
Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez talk ahead of the Red Bull Racing end of season team photo in Abu Dhabi
"He has to seek to win all the races and all the pole positions," Perez senior told Esto. "It's a competition for both of them, not just for one. For the team, it hurt them a lot to have not achieved the 1-2."
Publicly, all sides now insist that there are no problems between Verstappen and Perez, despite the conspicuously timely arrival of Daniel Ricciardo as third driver.
"Daniel's contract is very specific for a reason," team boss Christian Horner said this week. "We have a contract with Checo for the next two years and he has made a good step this year.
"They've both done a phenomenal job for the team and we have no reason to believe that will change for the duration of their contractual commitment to the team," Horner added.
However, the German specialist source Sport1 this week suggested Verstappen, 25, is actively lobbying to have Perez replaced by Ricciardo.
The Dutchman denies it.
"Our relationship is good," Verstappen told Viaplay. "It is actually the way it has always been."
When asked what exactly went wrong in Brazil, amid reports it was Verstappen's 'payback' for Perez supposedly deliberately crashing in Monaco qualifying, he added: "If I explained it, people would still not understand.
"They don't understand what goes on behind the scenes during the season. People think I'm not a team player but I'm very open."
For instance, he says car setups are shared between both side of the garage.
"I always work with GP (Gianpiero Lambiase) on a setup and it's then usually taken by the other side of the garage," said Verstappen. "Nothing is said but that's ok in a team, both cars must be good.
"I never hold anything back."
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"However, the German specialist source Sport1 this week suggested Verstappen, 25, is actively lobbying to have Perez replaced by Ricciardo.
The Dutchman denies it."
Well hello! Whether it's true or not, do they really expect Max will admit to any lobbying? Max may be a very good and competitive driver, but he is also a good politician!
, as for Perez senior , the 1-2 , Perhaps not in the WDC but theyve No 1 on the car, HUGE marketing value and they finished 1-2 in the WCC , again HUGE marketing value, Perez Snr, shush now, this is business, Perez Jnr 6M a year plus personal endorsements, again Perez Snr shush now
As for Max he always seems very open about things at least to the media, sharing set ups irrelevant , if the other guy cant do with with the car what Max can
Checo only has himself to blame he had the car to do it, he just didn’t have the ability. To have not finished in front of the circus that was Ferrari this year is the biggest concern, after all they even ran hard tyres to give him a chance most of the year. Sorry Checo but the buck stops with you go out and beat Max and you will get the adulation that your father believes you deserve.
That's a fair comment , but do we believe he has enough talent?
for marketing purposes, Redbull coming 1-2 in the standings, would have gone a long way for sponsorships. Max not supporting Perez on the track for this to happen, says a lot about Max egocentric personality. Perez has more than shown in Redbull, he is a team player. That can not be said for Max !
Red bull dont sell drivers , they sell cans of pop, Honda dont sell drivers they sell cars, look out for red bull limited edition cans with No 1 on the can
Red Bull Honda limited edition high power energy drink.undisputed 1-2 f1 world champions in world drivers championship and world constructors championship.
Honda Type R Red Bull commemorative model. 2022 undisputed 1- 2 in F1 WDC & WCC for that extra edge.
Not important? C’mon, it’s a marketing disaster.
Marketing experience helps,
get some..! Take a look at Renault uk 90s marketing on the back of the f1 successes, All that's needed is the brand ie RB or Honda and world champion-- ANYTHING else is overload in general the public are stupid, too much info as you are suggesting and they switch off so yeah unimportant
Strop
I have over fifty years as a very successful sales and marketing professional.
My experience has taught me that the public are not stupid and they like to be well informed before they make a purchase, most especially a specialised product whether energy drink or high performance car.
Renaults supposed experience 20+ years ago as the basis of your argument makes me wonder if you are stuck in the past.
A rude and condescending does not work well in sales and marketing.
If the public were well informed and not stupid , they'd not buy Rb pop in the 1st place,as for supposed Renault exp at marketing WCC 92/93/94/95/96/97 every Renault production car had a little sticker in the rear window understated but a reminder to every following car owner but I thought you'd know that, that's not condescending or an argument just obvious .
Yep, nothing there to convince me to change my mind. Quite the opposite.
Checho had all season long to gain points. He started out strong but faltered off and on during the season. He needs to earn number 2 not be handed it to him, in spite what his Dad says. Both LeClerc and Perez weren’t consistent, let’s get real.
Very true, its in Merc AND Ferraris hands the 23 season, but honestly we don't expect Honda and Max to start going slowly do we, Ferrari have forgotten how to win and Merc well another poor season and ... we know whats coming, Seems to me as well Toto seems to have lost a bit of that Austro/Germanic arrogance he once had, lining up his replacement and warming his seat on the Mb board no doubt .