During the Brazilian Grand Prix, tensions arose between Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez after the Dutchman did not agree to give his place back to the Mexican. As Red Bull prepares for the 2023 season, Christian Horner, the Austrian team boss, spoke about the relationship between his two drivers, quick to smooth over any perceived inter-team issues, with a ‘nothing to see here’ tone.
Since the Brazilian Grand Prix, tensions have arisen between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez following an incident between the two drivers during the race. While Red Bull had asked the Mexican to let his teammate pass and then recover his place a little later, the Dutchman had refused to follow his team’s instructions, later hinting that the Mexican’s dirty tactics in Monaco to be a reason for revenage.
But since then, tensions have calmed down and Christian Horner, the boss of the Austrian team, has spoken about this episode a few months before the start of the new season.
Christian Horner spoke about the various tensions between Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez. The Redbull boss said that the two drivers have been talking since their last altercation and that the relationship between the two men has calmed down.
“I think there are certain things that your drivers have the right to discuss in private with each other. Not every conversation has to be covered by the media.
“The drivers had a good conversation after the race in Brazil, everything was clarified, you could see that by the time they got to Abu Dhabi, and I think they were a phenomenal duo for Red Bull.”
“When there is a problem, we discuss it”
In particular, Christian Horner admitted that there is no longer a communication problem between Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez.
“The success they have had in the last two seasons and their joint performance in winning our first constructors’ championship in nine years has been remarkable and I am sure that in the future they will continue to bring results.
“They are both quite mature people and they both have an open relationship with each other. When there is a problem, we discuss it, put it on the table and talk about it.”
“Communication is always the best way”
Christian Horner continues: “I think communication is always the best way to deal with problems and you know, Sergio is an experienced guy, he’s been around for a long time.
“He’s a very straightforward guy and Max is also a straight shooter, the two of them have always had a proper relationship and I see that continuing.”
