‘Teamwork makes dreamwork’- Red Bull needs to live by this mantra these days. Amidst the tough times, the team is trying to reunite themselves. However, the worst-hit candidate, Sergio Perez is surely looking for some support in the middle of all the backlash he is facing. And just in time, Max Verstappen has come to the rescue. Taking a stand for his teammate the 3x champ is sending a strong message to the detractors. Verstappen and Perez have been teammates since 2021. Both the drivers, despite their contrasting driver skills, have paired up to push Red Bull to great heights.

However, Perez’s subpar results have brought him under fire for a couple of weeks now, and so has the team. Max Verstappen hasn’t been deprived of criticisms either. A strange concoction of allegations, criticism, and performance drop is affecting Red Bull on the track. And this was the right time for Max to openly defend his team and teammate. The speculations about Perez’s future with Red Bull and other rumors have pushed Verstappen to break a lance for his teammate.

Max Verstappen silences critics as he speaks in favor of his team Sergio Perez

As reported by formulapassion.it, Max Verstappen stated: “For a driver in a situation like that, it is difficult to be consistent. So it is not right to say that it is all his [Perez] fault, because lately it has been very difficult for me too to get the most out of the car and the team knows it. When the car improves and becomes more predictable, it is also easier to drive and you do not always have to push the limit,” concluded the Dutchman. This support came as a surprise; however, Sergio Perez would appreciate this kind gesture.

Verstappen’s comments also highlight the difficult situation Red Bull has been facing in recent races. Not just Checo, even Max is having a tough time working in the upgraded RB20. “I think it will be a crucial point of the season,” Max Verstappen explained, adding, “If we can’t translate the progress into lap times, I don’t know how the rest of the championship will develop.” The 26-year-old thinks that both drivers need to reflect on their performance. They haven’t been the fastest car in the last two races.

However, the balance of power cannot change suddenly. Max is still on the top of the table and hasn’t failed to secure points, except in Australia. But calling this new scenario a crisis is unusual for a team, leading both championships and winning 7 out of 12 races. But a score of seven out of twelve isn’t enough. Red Bull is highly expecting a clean sheet this year, but unfortunately, that won’t be happening.

Sergio Perez and his saga of mishaps with Red Bull

Is Sergio Perez in his last lap with Red Bull? Does his new contract have any performance clause? These are a few questions among the many, that have surfaced the F1 paddock. However, Checo has clarified the matter, yet the rumors aren’t silent. Instead, they continue to swell more.  Since joining Red Bull in 2021, Sergio Pérez’s career has been a rollercoaster. Despite a strong first season, consistency has eluded him. Last season, despite having a dominant car, Perez’s lack of results and the gap with his teammate fueled rumors about his future with Red Bull.

In 2024, he seemed to regain form, earning a contract renewal until 2026. However, problems resurfaced, and since the renewal, he has scored only 11 points in four races. This has led to new speculations, with names like Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, and even Daniel Ricciardo coming up frequently, is Sergio Perez really in peril? “It’s hard to silence the external noise, but at the end of the day, I come here to give my best… It’s tough, but it brings out absolutely everything in you, and that’s why I want to stay here,” Perez said.

Despite Max Verstappen’s supportive stance, Sergio Perez has his mettle to prove. He must ‘drive to survive’ in F1. Hungaroring would be the right track for him to show what he is capable of. After two consecutive defeats, Max is eager to secure his eighth win of the season. Will Red Bull have the fastest cars for the Hungarian GP 2024? What do you think?  Let us know in the comments.