Max Verstappen says it should not be down to him to assist his teammate in retaining runner-up position in the championship.

The three-time world champion was speaking days after his Sergio Perez crashed out on the opening lap of his home race, thereby allowing Lewis Hamilton to close to within 20 points.

In the build up to the Mexican race there was talk of bad feeling between the pair, indeed as the Dutchman took the unusual step of employing a couple of bodyguards F1 dreamed up another of its tedious campaigns in the form of 'Racespect' as it sought to play down the situation... a situation that seemingly goes back to Monaco 2022.

Verstappen and those in his close circle believe that Perez deliberately crashed at the end of qualifying in order to prevent his teammate claiming pole.

The Dutchman's feelings about the matter only surfaced this time last year during the Brazilian Grand Prix, when he was asked to yield to his teammate in order to allow him to claim additional points.

"I told you already last time, don't ask that again to me," he snapped. "Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I stand by it."

If today was anything to go by Verstappen hasn't mellowed over the last twelve months.

Asked if he would assist his teammate in securing the runner-up spot, he replied: "I think at the end of the day it shouldn't always matter on me, you know, to get the points.

"I'm confident in Checo that he can stay ahead because I do think on average we have the faster car and I think also last year it wasn't well spoken about before we got into the race weekend.

"Let's just hope we don't get into that situation," he smiled, "I think it's better for everyone."

Despite Helmut Marko's claim that Perez, who has a contract for 2024, retaining his seat is dependent on him finishing runner up - thereby giving Red Bull its first ever 1-2 in the championship - Christian Horner insists that this is not the case.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 04/11/2023 10:59

"All things are possible in the multiverse --

Consider this:
One driver makes a mistake which prevents others from improving their times. One of those drivers with an inflated sense of entitlement and assumes that the crash was specifically to prevent HIM from improving. Said driver holds a grudge in perpetuity....."

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2. Posted by kenji, 03/11/2023 11:00

"Consider this. One driver purposely sticks his car into the wall to prevent his team mate from setting a faster time and most likely winning the race. How can this be anything but 'anti team'? If this was the case then the aggrieved driver has every right to refuse any assistance, if he so desires. It may not help the team but then again, sticking a car into the wall doesn't help the team either. That is if it happened at all! I have absolutely no sympathy for Perez. Tough business F1."

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3. Posted by stoney, 03/11/2023 10:39

"Sorry, there was an omission in my overview of the results.
To clarify: Perez finished in 8th, 19th, 10th, 4th and the very first corner.

Ok, it was the pits... but you get my point."

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4. Posted by stoney, 03/11/2023 10:37

"I do understand the sentiments against the arrogance of Verstappen's words, and I think Verstappen is pretty blunt here... Clearly no love lost between the two. I don't commend him for his language.

BUT... to be fair to Verstappen, look to Perez's results this year. I read Verstappen saying it's on Perez to put himself even in a position where Verstappen could even help him. Italy was the last 1-2 for Red Bull.

Since then, Perez has a finished 8th, 19th, 10th, 4th and a DNF.
Meanwhile Verstappen has finished 5th, 1st, 1st, 1st, and... 1st.

So if people are asking whether Verstappen might swap with him - Verstappen's probably drawing the line at dropping multiple places just to help Perez. And, fair enough honestly."

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5. Posted by Spindoctor, 03/11/2023 10:25

"Easy to be that arrogant & selfish when you're on top. He's already got the WDC so helping his "teammate" is no skin off Verstappen's nose, except, perhaps it would "negatively impact" his Wikipedia statistics for 2023 - something he claims not to be very interested in.

F1 really IS a Team Game & Jos's little lad is WDC solely because of the efforts of hundreds of others & primarily one A.Newey. I'm pretty sure that most, if not all of them, from the humblest to the mightiest have gone above & beyond their job descriptions numerous times to benefit the Team and\or colleagues.
Surely he could do the same for Sergio?

Its a shame for F1's sporting credibility & his personal reputation that VMax & entourage are happy to adopt such a stance.
"

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6. Posted by kenji, 03/11/2023 8:10

"@rambler.....just so long as you have the WDC as the followers firm favourite championship award you will have issues with driver politics.Drivers are only there for the 'me me me' championship."

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7. Posted by rambler, 03/11/2023 5:16

"F1 is sold to its sponsors as a "Team" sport. With comments like this Verstappen devalues F1, Red Bull and his own brand. Which is not good for the sport. "

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8. Posted by kenji, 02/11/2023 23:11

"I can somewhat sympathicise with Verstappen. If, and it's a big if, he has enough evidence to convince himself that Perez did as has been suggested in Monaco then I would also think that Perez needs to sort himself out and not place any reliance on Verstappen. Shades of Shumi/Rascasse and Piquet/Singapore are major historical points that need to be put into context with those of today."

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9. Posted by mtriplett, 02/11/2023 20:35

"Your responsibility? No. As a supportive member of the TEAM, helping to add to the success of everyone supporting you? Definitely yes!"

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Perez not my responsibility insists Verstappen

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