Between Verstappen’s refusal to help him in the fight for P2 in the Drivers’ Championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix last season and Helmut Marko’s unacceptable comments about the 33-year-old’s Mexican heritage after the Italian Grand Prix this summer, there is a frosty sentiment towards the Red Bull hierarchy among the Perez’s fans.
This boiled over at the most recent race in Austin with Perez’s loyal fans booing Verstappen as he took to the top step of the podium at the Circuit of the Americas. The three-time world champion saw off the threat of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton to clinch his 15th win of the season.
Addressing the boos on the podium and the reception from the Mexican fans, Horner said: “I don’t think Max is going to get the warmest reception in Mexico. That’s water off a duck’s back. One year you are the villain and the next you are the hero.”
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The Red Bull team principal was then questioned about the backlash his team may receive at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez following Marko’s derogatory comments towards Perez earlier this season.
“I am not worried about that,” Horner insisted. “The team is fully behind Checo and both of our drivers. We love racing in Mexico, we love the Mexican fans, the passion – that stadium is unique. So we are really looking forward to it.”
Marko attracted widespread criticism from the world of F1 after he claimed Perez’s struggles this season relative to team-mate Verstappen were partially down to a ‘lack of focus’ stemming from his Mexican heritage.
While Perez publicly stated that he had put the incident behind him, his on-track performances remain a point of concern. However, a fourth-place finish in Texas will give the 33-year-old confidence ahead of his return to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez next weekend.
“He should take a lot of confidence out of that,” Horner said after Perez’s performance at the United States GP. “His race pace was strong, we know he always races well and hard and hopefully, it is just the injection of confidence he needs going into his home race which I am sure is going to be nuts for him.”
