Max Verstappen wins third consecutive Formula One world championship
Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has insisted Max Verstappen will not be handing out any favours to Sergio Perez as the Mexican clings to his job with the constructor giants. Perez has underwhelmed alongside the three-time champion and has won just four Grands Prix in the last two seasons, despite the fact the Red Bull car has blown away its rivals.
Verstappen has been an imperious force in F1 since winning his maiden championship in 2021. Since cars were redesigned due to F1 regulation changes ahead of the 2022 season, the 26-year-old has dominated his rivals. And he wrapped up his third consecutive title at the start of last month with six races remaining. Perez, on the other hand, has barely been close to the Dutchman, despite being afforded the same tools.
In October, Brazilian publication Globo revealed that Perez had exhausted Red Bull’s patience due to his indifferent performances. And the report suggested the 33-year-old had been told he needed to finish second in the last five Grands Prix to keep his seat in 2024, even though he still has another year on his contract.
Perez subsequently finished fifth in the United States, before crashing out of the Mexican Grand Prix on the opening lap. And Verstappen won’t be helping his team-mate during the last three races, according to Marko.
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“Max will do his thing, and he will not give up a win,” the 80-year-old told Austrian outlet Kronen Zeitung.
And commenting on Perez’s failed overtaking move which saw the driver’s Mexican Grand Prix come to an abrupt end, Marko explained: “I spoke to him and he said there were a lot of emotions involved and that he had to try because otherwise he would not be a real Mexican. And he himself says he has a good feeling in the car again and is fully focused on finishing second in the world championship.”
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Meanwhile, Marko hinted that Perez could struggle in the Sprint race this weekend ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. “Of course one practice is not enough,” he added. “You have to score immediately. It will definitely be difficult for Checo.”
Perez, who took an F1 seat with Red Bull before the 2021 season got underway, finished third in the Drivers’ Championship standings last year as Ferrari ace Charles Leclerc clinched second. But the Mexican will be hoping to end the year as runner-up this time around as he has built a 20-point lead over Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton.
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