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verstappen not stepping aside for perez according to marko

Marko: Verstappen not stepping aside for Perez if he can win

3 November 2023 at 10:48
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  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Like last year, Max Verstappen can lend a helping hand to his teammate Sergio Perez in his fight for second place in the Formula 1 championship. The Mexican is 20 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton with three Grands Prix and a sprint remaining.

Last year, Verstappen refused to help Perez, following an earlier dispute between the two teammates over the Monaco Grand Prix, where, according to Verstappen, Perez allegedly crashed deliberately in qualifying.

Verstappen does his thing

Whether Verstappen does pass Perez this year is very much the question. From his team, at least, there seems to be no pressure on Verstappen. In an interview with Austrian publication Kronen Zeitung, Helmut Marko made a remarkable statement. According to the Red Bull advisor, Verstappen will not pull over for Perez if he can win the race. Marko: "Max will do his thing, and he will not give up a win."

Lots of emotions

Marko was also asked about the state of mind of Sergio Perez after the disastrous Mexico Grand Prix, which was over for Perez after a failed overtaking move at the first corner. According to Marko, Perez insisted he had to try: "I spoke to him, and he said there were a lot of emotions involved and that he had to try because otherwise he would not be a real Mexican. And he himself says he has a good feeling in the car again and is fully focused on finishing second in the World Championship."

The upcoming race in Brazil is another sprint weekend, where the drivers have few opportunities to tune their cars perfectly. Marko indicates in the interview that this is difficult for Perez: "Of course one practice is not enough. You have to score immediately. It will definitely be difficult for Checo."