Sergio Perez breaks silence on misconception about Max Verstappen relationship

Sergio Perez has played down speculation of tension between himself and Max Verstappen.

Sergio Perez has played down rumours of tension between himself and Max Verstappen at Red Bull, speaking out on the relationship between the pair.

The Mexican has proven a very capable understudy to Verstappen in the last two seasons with the Dutchman becoming a two-time world champion, but their relationship appears to have strained in more recent times according to reports.

Tensions flared on a number of occasions in the 2022 season in a power struggle of sorts, rearing its head in Monaco and Brazil, but the two have managed to keep a lid on things so far in 2023.

‘Checo’ put together an impressive display to hold off Verstappen and win the Bahrain Grand Prix, ensuring his teammate didn’t rack up three wins from three races at the beginning of the current season, but struggled in Australia as he watched Verstappen breeze towards the chequered flag.

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Speaking to reporters, quoted by RacingNews365.com, though, Perez insisted the two get on well.

“To be honest, we have a lot more respect for each other than than people might think out there,” he said.

“There is a great atmosphere with the team, there is a very high level of respect between each other in the team with all the engineers from their side and my side.”

He added: “I think we are both mature enough to know what’s right and what’s wrong. As long as that keeps being the case, and I don’t expect anything to change.”

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Not only has it occasionally come to the boil between Perez and Verstappen, but reports have suggested Perez also has a strained relationship with Verstappen’s father Jos.

READ: Sergio Perez’s paranoia explained after Max Verstappen gave Red Bull a ‘hard time’

Following his win at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, footage emerged of Verstappen’s father seemingly snubbing Perez and not shaking his hand amid the congratulations.

However, the 33-year-old has since cleared the air and maintained that he again has a solid relationship with Verstappen’s father, despite contrasting reports.

Perez is currently contracted with Red Bull through to the end of the 2024 season, but the pressure is on for him to keep performing, particularly with the team by far and away the fastest on the grid in the early stages of the season, and with plenty of drivers desperate to get into such a significant seat.