As the Formula 1 season draws to a close with Max Verstappen’s dominant performance, there’s a discussion about whether the Dutch driver would consider gifting wins to his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez. However, experts in the field suggest that such a scenario is unlikely, considering Red Bull’s ruthless approach to winning.
Sergio Perez has had a respectable season with two wins and a few second-place finishes. He currently holds the second position in the drivers’ standings, although he’s significantly behind Verstappen. Despite this, he maintains a lead over Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in the championship.
In the previous season, Perez narrowly missed securing the second position in the drivers’ championship, finishing three points behind Charles Leclerc. In a critical moment at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Max Verstappen refused to assist Perez by giving up a position, leading to his eventual second-place finish. This trend continued into the season-ending Abu Dhabi race when Verstappen declined to hold up Leclerc to create an opportunity for Perez to attack.
Natalie Pinkham, a Formula 1 expert, commented on the situation, saying, “There’s a ruthless streak in both Max and Christian Horner. They’re highly competitive people with an incredible work ethic, but crucially, there is that ruthless streak, which winners need. It isn’t about having empathy for who finishes second.”
Guest pundit Pedro de la Rosa also shared his perspective, stating that Verstappen might help his teammate if it contributes to the team’s continued success. However, he emphasized that giving away wins for the sole purpose of helping a teammate isn’t in the best interest of the team or Verstappen himself. De la Rosa questioned the importance of finishing second and suggested that it may not hold much significance, especially when the team has already clinched the Constructors’ Championship.
In conclusion, the experts believe that Red Bull’s primary focus is on winning, and they are unlikely to prioritize assisting Perez in securing second place in the drivers’ championship.
