Sergio Perez Insists There Is A "Great Atmosphere" At Red Bull Amid Max Verstappen Drama

Sergio Perez speaks out against claims of Max Verstappen friction.

Sergio Perez has shut down Red Bull friction rumours saying there is a lot of "respect" within the team. 

There has been a huge amount of speculation over rising tensions within the Austrian team and between Perez and his teammate Max Verstappen. Especially after the debacle at the end of the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, and then again in Saudi Arabia a few weeks ago when Perez won from pole position but Verstappen took the fastest lap point on the last lap of the race.

However, Perez himself has tried to set the record straight, insisting that there is a "very high level of respect" between him and his teammate.

In an interview with the media, Perez pushed back against the speculation, saying: 

"To be honest, we have a lot more respect for each other than people out there might think. There's a great atmosphere in the team, there's a very high level of respect between each other, with all the engineers on his side and mine."

Perez went on to suggest that maturity will be key in maintaining their positive relationship, adding: 

"I think we're both mature enough to know what's right and what's wrong, and as long as that's the case I don't expect that to change."

Red Bull has dominated the first three races of the 2023 season, with Verstappen winning Bahrain and Australia, and Perez taking the win in Saudi Arabia. Two-time champion Verstappen is currently leading the drivers' championship with 69 points, followed by Perez with 54 points. Red Bull are currently in first position in the constructors' championship with 123 points followed by Aston Martin and Mercedes with 65 and 56 points, respectively. 

Racing gets going again with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on 28-30 April.