The Red Bull team has once again been questioned over whether they have a favorite between their two drivers after they seemingly favored Max Verstappen over Sergio Perez at the Miami GP. F1 expert David Croft gave clear evidence of how there was a stark contrast in the communication provided to their two drivers.
While speaking during the coverage of the Miami GP, Croft explained how there was barely any communication on Perez’s radio. The 52-year-old stated that the team had not been providing him with any updates about Verstappen’s pace.
And in stark contrast, it was’ constant’ when it came to the Dutchman’s side of the garage. Croft then went on to explain further by adding (as quoted by planetf1.com),
“We heard it coming through. That constant check on how the relative race gap is between him (Verstappen) and his teammate (Perez). Perez has been out there, in a way, driving blind. It’s been very odd. A bit too quiet on his radio“.
Horner dismisses speculations of favoritism between Verstappen and Perez
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was quick to dismiss rumors of favoritism. While speaking to Fox Sports (as quoted by planetf1.com) after the Miami Grand Prix, the 49-year-old explained how both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez were aware of the gap between each other at all times.
As for Perez, he did not refer to potential favoritism and just expressed his unhappiness at his own pace. The Mexican explained how Verstappen deserved the win as ‘he was the fastest‘ out there. And when it came to his race, he stated his struggles with the tires.
View this post on Instagram
Max Verstappen extends his championship lead over Sergio Perez
Despite starting ninth on the grid, Max Verstappen drove an incredible race to claim his third win of the F1 2023 season. While Red Bull’s superior pace helped the Dutchman to pass most of his rivals with ease, he also surprisingly beat his teammate Sergio Perez, who started on pole.
The win, along with the fastest lap of the race, helped Verstappen to increase his points tally at the top of the championship standings from 93 to 119. With Perez finishing the Miami GP in second, Verstappen now has a 14-point lead over his Red Bull teammate in the championship.
While it is still very early in the season to rule out Perez, the Miami GP would be a sheer disappointment for him, having started the race on the pole with Verstappen starting way behind. Now all that the Mexican can do is push this disappointment behind him and focus on the next F1 race in Imola, which will take place from May 19 to 21.
