Verstappen proves with 'slip of the tongue' he is not a supporter of Perez at all

"They have two cars." Verstappen suddenly said. The journalist put a question to Lando Norris and Max Verstappen about McLaren's points in Canada. Indeed, the team had scored more points with a second and fifth place than Red Bull Racing, and so the journalist wondered if this would affect the rest of the championship. Verstappen was perhaps a little too quick to give an honest answer.

In his later answer, Verstappen nuanced his initial statement. Verstappen also knew what he had said and recovered by saying that Red Bull should also make sure the car is more controllable. However, the first answer was closer to the truth, as Verstappen himself does get the most out of the car. So it is not entirely down to the car.

Verstappen often critical of Perez

This is not the first time Verstappen has spoken this way about his teammate. Back in 2023, he jokingly stated during the season that he could also secure the constructors' world championship on his own. In addition, he has also regularly pointed to McLaren as the team with the strongest line-up, where most drivers will still choose their own team, somewhat driven by the PR team.

It is also noticeable when Verstappen is asked about candidates for the world title or victories. When asked about such predictions, Verstappen regularly mentions names like Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris. His teammate's name never drops.

The story that took on a life of its own since Perez's contract extensions, namely that Verstappen would be happy with a slow teammate, is therefore nonsense. Yes, there was quite a bit of hassle behind the scenes between Sainz's camp and Verstappen's camp during the Toro Rosso era, but even those families have since made peace. Sainz and Verstappen get along just fine and the fathers exchange stories and photos of their rallying adventures almost weekly.

Sainz and Verstappen have made peace

The time at Toro Rosso was also very different. That is a team where drivers have to prove themselves to force a seat at a top team. Sainz's camp already felt left behind when Verstappen was previously announced as a new driver for Toro Rosso in 2014, followed by another blow when Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull Racing in 2016.

However, the suggestion that Verstappen would not want a good teammate at Red Bull is not true. It is stated often enough by Max Verstappen that he would not care who his teammate becomes. You hear the same behind the scenes from people within Verstappen's camp. They will care very much about who takes a seat next to Verstappen, as they are (rightly) in the full belief that Verstappen will beat any teammate anyway.

In Canada, this was once again confirmed for the outside world. Verstappen's statement came out suddenly, but it was Verstappen's sincere opinion. He is certainly not a big fan of Perez as a teammate, as has been claimed in recent weeks. Verstappen would also prefer a teammate who competes at the front, as he and Daniel Ricciardo also worked well together in 2017 and 2018. However, with a new deal for Perez, that better teammate does not seem to be forthcoming, and Verstappen will have to manage on his own in most races, including 2025.