Max Verstappen has defended team-mate Sergio Perez after a string of poor form sparked speculation he could be dropped from Red Bull during the summer break. The Dutchman feels Perez has done more than his fair share in providing feedback on the car, even if his recent on-track results have not been up to expectations. In the previous six rounds, the Mexican driver had only scored a meager 15 points while Verstappen had racked up 119 points in the same period. Perez is currently 137 points behind his teammate in the driver rankings.

It is understood that if that gap is still more than 100 points by the summer break, Red Bull could activate Perez’s contract release clause. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his teammate, Verstappen appears to still be on his side. “I wouldn’t put it that way,” the 26-year-old racer replied when asked about the difficulty of having to control the car himself in recent races. “Because at the end of the day we are teammates, and we always try to give feedback to the car, and that’s what Checo [Sergio Perez] did as well, so he always contributed his best.” But of course, we can’t deny that the past few weeks have been a bit difficult…

“Of course, naturally, he also wants to do better. I know that he’s working really hard – it’s not like he takes it for granted or anything, right? So hopefully Here [at the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix], when the car can suit his driving style a little more, everything feels a little more connected. It can be more efficient a little for him.”

Perez’s mistakes ‘did not help’ the situation
However, Verstappen admitted that incidents like Perez’s during qualifying at the British Formula 1 Grand Prix do not help him, as question marks surround Red Bull’s decision to extend his contract today. more prominent.

The three-time world champion does not feel it is beneficial for Perez to endure his current poor form. “It doesn’t help, but he knows that – I don’t need to say that to him,” Verstappen added. “It’s natural, but I feel he’s giving it his all, and that’s the only thing you can do. “Being stressed or stressed about it won’t help the situation, so we just work as a team and everyone is always very dedicated. And of course, everyone wants to help each other to be good.” than.”