Red Bull Takes Precautions as Verstappen Faces Mexican F1 GP Challenge
Oct.26 - Sergio Pérez has urged his native fans to also support Max Verstappen this weekend in Mexico.
Last weekend, across the border in Austin, spectators mercilessly booed Verstappen amid a tumultuous season and uncertain future at Red Bull for Perez.
"The support in Austin was crazy," he admitted.
"So I can't even imagine what Mexico will be like. I want Mexico to come out, but to support the whole Red Bull team - not just me."
The comments come after team bosses Dr Helmut Marko and Christian Horner insisted they are not overly concerned about the likely hailstorm of booing this weekend at the venue located some 10 kilometres from the city centre.
Organisers of the race are even taking PR precautions, including billboards around Mexico City depicting both Verstappen and Perez with the caption in Spanish "There's no rivalry off the track!"
Nonetheless, Dr Helmut Marko admits Red Bull has hired two personal bodyguards for Dutchman Verstappen for the race weekend.
"Max doesn't actually want that and is relaxed," he told Auto Bild. "But we have a responsibility to him. So we just want to be on the safe side."
Marko also said Verstappen has a role to play in support of Perez's quest to retain second overall in the 2023 drivers' standings - even though explicit support in the form of team orders has been ruled out.
"Every point that Max takes away from (Lewis) Hamilton helps Perez in the end," said the 80-year-old Austrian.
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10 km from the city center?
The track is within city limits, so technically in Mexico City per se.
"Marko also said Verstappen has a role to play in support of Perez's quest to retain second overall in the 2023 drivers' standings..."
Like he did in 2022 when given the chance?
Each driver should run their own race
Perez may be too far behind Max to gain any assistance during the race
Time for Perez to step up to the plate
I believe the security precautions are justified, particularly in this part of the world. There was a kidnapping attempt in Brazil of Jensen Button a few years ago. Thankfully, the attempt didn't succeed. On that basis, additional security for drivers is certainly warranted.
Fun fact: Many yrs ago when I was a young naive kid I was invited to do a race in Venezuela. Soldiers with machine guns everywhere. Scared sh***less the entire weekend. LOLOL
I do hope your not doing a Laura and in a moment you'll tell us you won that race..
The only race that I won that weekend was the one to the airport to get out of that god forsaken hell hole.