Christian Horner Shields Max Verstappen as Hostility From Sergio Perez’s Fans Worsens

In front of 432,000 fans, Formula 1 was once again drenched in adrenaline as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton went elbows out chasing the American win. The Grand Prix was oddly reminiscent of the races in 2021. Grappling with brake issues, and Hamilton’s silver arrow chasing him on fresher tires, the Dutch driver had to calculate the position of his RB19 in every turn. Verstappen, who started P6, encountered a rival in his own car. But as the Briton’s pit-stop strategy back-fired, the winner, once again, emerged loud and clear.

After 56 laps, the story that unfolded was the same. Max Verstappen took the chequered flag. And for the fourth time, history witnessed another driver emerge victorious for the 50th time. However, after putting in qualifying laps for his bid to win, the RB driver did not get the friendliest reception on the podium.

Max Verstappen is not in the good books of Perez’s fans at the US GP

As the three-time world champion collected his silverware in Austin, the events of the Miami Grand Prix played out all over again. The American crowd does not seem too fond of the RB driver. A chorus of boos broke out when he lifted the trophy. As the Dutch national anthem grew louder, so did the chants of ‘Checo, Checo.’ The unfriendly reception comes a week ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Perez’s home race. If the treatment is this icy in America, and the love for Sergio runs so deep, Red Bull might be in hot waters at the next race.

On fans booing the three-time world champion ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Horner said, “I don’t think Max is going to get the warmest reception in Mexico! But that’s water off a duck’s back. One year you are the villain, the next year you are the hero.” And who can attest to Horner’s statement better than the four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel? In his Red Bull days, he was the antagonist, a ‘spoilt brat’, if you may. But a switch to Ferrari raised him to an angelic status. Maybe if Verstappen switches to Ferrari, he too will be celebrated as the ‘good guy’.

But for now, Verstappen is locked in with Red Bull till 2028. But what about the Mexican Minister of Defence?

READ MORE: Dominant Max Verstappen Served Stern Wake-Up Call Despite Record-Breaking 2022 Season: “There Are Areas He Can…”

Checo to stay at Red Bull for 2024?

Sergio Perez is not a bad driver by any means. After all, he has had 8 Grand Prix wins to his name. But his performance in the same machinery as Verstappen really puts his race craft in doubt. With 5 consecutive Q3 exits and barely finishing in the top 5, Perez was heavily scrutinized. As the gap to Verstappen increases to more than 200 points, Perez’s seat at Red Bull, despite his improving performance, remains in jeopardy.

The speculation mill had churned out that Red Bull had issued a warning to Perez to finish second in WDC. But as he fell off to P16 in Monaco and barely ever made it to Q3, Lewis Hamilton, third in the championship, picked up on the gap. Chomping through the point lead that Perez had built earlier in WDC, the seven-time world champion, finished P2 at the United States Grand Prix. Perez’s bid for second had surely taken a hit.

But luckily for him, the Briton was disqualified at the US GP. The Mexican driver found a lifeline in FIA regulations, albeit not cementing the position yet. Nevertheless, Red Bull came out with the statement that even if Checo loses P2 in the championship, his seat is 100% safe. But the Austrian Constructor also dismissed all the rumors about Nyck de Vries being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo. Guess who’s driving the AlphaTauri alongside Yuki Tsunoda now?

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If we have learned anything in the past years, nothing is confirmed at the Austrian outfit. Do you think Perez will retain his seat for next year or the rumors will take a form in reality?