Despite driving the most dominant car of the current season, Red Bull driver Sergio Perez has failed massively to perform. Meanwhile, his teammate Max Verstappen has taken the track by storm and is soon to clinch his 3rd world title in a row. The difference in the performance of the two drivers has led some of the Perez fans to turn sour towards the Dutchman and the Red Bull team. Even the Mexican driver’s father believes the Red Bull car is built around the Dutchman.
Following the battle between Perez and Verstappen fans, the organizers of the Mexican GP have launched a ‘No Hate Campaign’ under the name – Racepect. Dutch journalist Erik van Haren believes that this move cannot be a separate incident from the Perez vs. Verstappen/Red Bull battle.
While Verstappen has created a huge lead in the championship and is set to win the race at the Qatar GP sprint race, Perez is 177 points behind him in P2 and is still struggling with the car’s setup.
Max Verstappen could face hostile fans in Mexico
Over the race weekends, fans who come to attend the F1 show often express their support for the drivers and the teams they love. Usually, their love for the sport and their favorite driver/team turns their opinion sour toward their rivals and comes out in a bitter tone. Multiple drivers have been victims of booing by the fans around the race calendar, which often discourages the driver.
To kill this fashion, the organizers of the Mexican GP have announced the racepect movement under which they have called the audience to respect the drivers on the track regardless of their opinion about them.
Organisatie van de Mexicaanse GP presenteert een ‘Racepect’-beweging en roept bezoekers dit jaar op om respect te tonen voor alle coureurs.
Zal niet helemaal los gezien kunnen worden van positie Pérez ten opzichte van Verstappen en mogelijke vijandigheid richting de Nederlander https://t.co/Mbk3xTnRs4
— Erik van Haren (@ErikvHaren) October 2, 2023
Given the timing of the move, Haren believes that since Mexico is the base of Perez fans, Verstappen might face some hostility in the upcoming race.
Sergio Perez is under the threat of getting replaced
Following his underwhelming performance over the season, Perez has come under fire by his bosses and F1 experts. The Mexican’s poor form has also led to speculations about him getting replaced in the 2024 season.
Even though the team principal, Christian Horner, has clarified that Perez would not be replaced before the end of his contract, Red Bull’s history of replacing drivers mid-season does not quash the speculations and rumors.
Moreover, the team is filled with potential candidates who can become Verstappen’s teammate. These speculations snowballed even more when Daniel Ricciardo returned to the track after his 8-month-long sabbatical.
