7 Years Before Becoming Teammates, Sergio Perez Shared His Thoughts on “Kid” Max Verstappen: “Has to Be Very Special”

At the young age of 17, Max Verstappen had already made his way to the pinnacle of motorsport. The Dutchman was promoted to Formula 1 back in 2014 after he showed his instinctive racing style in the European Formula 3. This made a lot of people question the FIA about how the Dutchman was even allowed to race, despite not even being 18. However, when there was criticism all around, the then Force India driver, Sergio Perez, urged the Dutchman to ignore the critics and trust in his abilities.

Back in 2015, Max Verstappen joined Toro Rosso and became the youngest driver ever to race in Formula 1. But there was someone who thought that Verstappen’s entry at such a tender age was not acceptable. It was the 1997 champion Jacques Villeneuve who said that this is the ‘worst thing ever for Formula 1‘ ever. The decision of Red Bull to launch such a young kid in the world of F1 made FIA later raise the minimum age to get a super license to 18.

Seven years before becoming teammates with Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez came in the support of him. He said, “Red Bull saw something special in him. I’ve heard really good things about him, so it will be nice to see how such a nice kid deals with all the pressure.”

“He is making history. The kid has to be very special because he is breaking the record big time. If you’re good enough and Red Bull put the faith in you to go and race, why not? It’s good for the sport and for the fans.”

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The Mexican driver has helped the Milton Keynes side pick up the WCC championship this year. Although the year had its ups and down for the team and Checo, earlier, Perez said that with Verstappen he feels happy when the team gets successful. This, however, was not the case before.

Sergio Perez said his happiness is genuine with Max Verstappen while with ex-teammates it was more of “jealousy”

Sergio Perez made his debut back in 2011. Until Perez reached the camp of Red Bull, he had raced alongside multiple drivers.
And as of now, Verstappen is his teammate and will remain till 2024. Throughout the course of 2 years, the duo has yielded some magnificent results for the team, and for that Checo feels delighted. Besides, he feels genuine happiness with Verstappen when either of them achieves something.

While with some teammates beforehand, Checo didn’t feel the same. Taking in an interview with LADbible TV, Perez said, “I think sometimes in the past I’ve had some jealousy from a team-mate. Because you obviously want to win, but when the guy next to you wins you have to give the credit, he’s done better than you, he’s won and you have to accept that and also feel proud of what he’s done, the guy next to you.”

“And I think not many people can take it, but I think within us, when I win, when Max wins, there is always we feel proud for each other and that I think is something good within us.”

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The advice by Sergio Perez seems to have worked for the Dutchman as Red Bull’s golden boy has won 2 championships and is on his way to becoming one of the greatest of all time.