Max Verstappen is adamant that the onus is on Red Bull to rediscover the team’s competitiveness in Formula 1 in order to help his struggling team-mate Sergio Perez.
Perez’s position at Red Bull has been scrutinised again over the last week amid a wretched weekend on home soil in Mexico which saw him end up outside the points.
The Mexican has managed a pitiful 18 points in the six rounds since the summer break, resulting in Red Bull slipping to third place in the Constructors’ Championship.
However, Perez hasn’t been alone in Red Bull’s regression having an adverse impact on his results as it has also placed Verstappen’s Drivers’ title under serious threat.
Verstappen, who registered seven victories during the opening 10 races, hasn’t won a Grand Prix since Spain in June, as Ferrari and McLaren have surpassed Red Bull.
Nevertheless, Verstappen, who harbours a 47-point lead, has continued to be a lone ranger at the sharp end, while Perez has dropped into the clutches of the midfield.
The Dutchman has protected his team-mate from criticism, though, arguing that Perez retrieving his earlier-season form will depend on Red Bull addressing its issues.
“Well, I think since China, you know, for us it’s anyway been quite difficult,” Verstappen told media including Motorsport Week in Brazil earlier this week.
“Other teams have definitely caught up. They have had quite good performance upgrades. And even for me it’s been hard to be on the podium consistently.
“So, yeah, I think as long, you know, we improve our car and it will also help Checo, naturally. So that’s what we’re trying to work on.”
Perez insists he will remain at Red Bull
Liam Lawson impressing since his return to the grid mid-season at the Red Bull-owned RB team has heightened rumours that he is being readied to take Perez’s spot.
However, a defiant Perez, who signed a contract renewal earlier this season through 2026, has insisted that he has holds no concerns he could lose his Red Bull drive.
“It’s just rumours,” Perez stated. “At the end of the day, I think there needs to be a little bit more professionalism as well from the media, not to spread rumours like that.
“Because at the end of the day, the ones that lose credibility are the ones are spreading those rumours.
“You will see me in Vegas, you will see me next year and then and I’m not the one that that worries about it.”
But despite his assertion that he’ll remain alongside Verstappen next term, Perez’s woes continued in Sao Paulo as he qualified down in 13th place for the Sprint race.
READ MORE – Red Bull admits ‘difficult decisions have to be made’ on Sergio Perez’s F1 future
