Max Verstappen’s “DNA” Questioned as Sergio Perez Tipped to Undergo 1 Year Old Ugly Debacle Again

Remember the 2022 Brazilian GP kerfuffle where Max Verstappen was more rebel than racer, ignoring team orders to let teammate Sergio Perez pass him? Fast forward to now, and history may just be repeating itself. For those who missed the drama, here’s a quick refresher: Perez had a bit of an off moment post the second safety car restart, leading Verstappen to swoop in and make an attempt to overtake Fernando Alonso’s Alpine. While the move on Alonso failed, the real controversy came when Verstappen’s engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, instructed him to let Perez reclaim his position to boost his chances in the Drivers’ Championship. Verstappen, channeling his inner rebel, shot back, “Don’t ask me to do that again,” hinting that he had his “reasons.”

Tom Clarkson threw the gauntlet on the latest episode of the F1 Nation podcast when he brought up the tantalizing possibility of Max Verstappen becoming a triple-world champion if he just manages to finish sixth in the upcoming sprint. However, the juicier part of the conversation was whether Max would play the gallant knight and help his teammate, Sergio Perez, snag that second-place finish.

Clarkson quipped, asking, “Do you think Verstappen will help Sergio finish second? Could we see him moving over, perhaps giving him a win? Is that even in his DNA?“

Natalie Pinkham certainly doesn’t think so. She insightfully highlighted the ruthless streak in both Verstappen and team boss Christian Horner. It’s this killer instinct that’s rocketed Red Bull to dominance this season. As she rightly pointed out, “They’re meticulous, they’re thorough, they have an incredible work ethic, but crucially, there is that ruthless streak which winners need. And it isn’t about having empathy for who finishes second. You know, I just, what’s in it for Max to do that?”

Pedro de la Rosa, the voice of experience, chipped in with his two cents. For him, it boils down to what finishing second means to Checo and the team. If it’s of monumental significance, then maybe, just maybe, Max might lend a hand. But let’s face it, with the World Constructors’ Championship already in the bag, does a second-place finish even matter?

So, as we gear up for the next race, it’s not just about the tire strategies and car setups. It’s also about whether Verstappen will throw Perez a lifeline or let him relive a year-old debacle. Because in F1, the drama never ends, and frankly, we wouldn’t have it any other way!

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After the tantalizing discourse on the F1 Nation podcast and the unending drama from Brazil, one might think we’ve had our fill. But hold on to your helmets, because as we zoom towards the Mexican GP, the thermostat’s reading is off the charts!

Max Verstappen vs. Sergio Perez: Turning Up the Heat and Spreading ‘Racepect’ at the Mexican GP

It seems the heat of Mexico isn’t just in its fiery dishes but also on its Grand Prix track, as the rivalry between two of Red Bull’s finest continues to sizzle! Though Perez drives the season’s most dominant car, he’s been struggling to find the sweet spot in terms of performance. The vast difference between the two teammates has left some Perez fans with a bitter taste, raising eyebrows over whether the Red Bull car favors Verstappen more. Even Perez’s dad seems to have sprinkled a bit of salt, hinting that the car might be tailored around the Dutch dynamo.

Enter the Mexican GP organizers with a fresh pitcher of ‘Racepect’. A ‘No Hate Campaign’ aiming to cool things down and remind fans that, at the end of the day, it’s all about the love of the sport. But our pal, Dutch journalist Erik van Haren, thinks there’s more to the story. Drawing a connection between the Perez vs. Verstappen feud and the timing of this campaign, he hints at a possible chilly reception for Verstappen from the Perez-fan-packed stands.

Though we all love some juicy drama off the tracks, let’s remember that over the race weekends, fans unite for their sheer love for the F1 spectacle. Sure, a little rivalry makes things interesting, but let’s not turn that love sour. A few drivers have faced the cold shoulder and booing around the calendar, which is a bit like pouring cold water on their burning passion.

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So, as we gear up for a thrilling race, here’s hoping the ‘Racepect’ movement reminds everyone to keep the atmosphere spicy in a fun way, not a bitter one. After all, isn’t it more about love and tires than feuds and fires?

See you on the race weekend!