Perez now devoted to helping Verstappen secure title

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Sergio Perez says his principal objective in Brazil and in the final races of the season is to help his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen secure the world title.

The Dutchman will resume his championship battle with Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton this weekend in Brazil and heads into the Sao Paulo Grand Prix event with a 19-point lead in the Drivers' standings.

But the final leg of the 2021 campaign is seeing a timely upswing in form of Perez who has finished the last three races on the third step of the podium.

The Mexican is now in a position to lend his support to his teammate, which is what he will do.

"I think it's my job for now," Perez told Sky Sports. "To try to help Max, and support Max as a good team player.

"It's in the interests of everybody to make sure we secure both championships. That will be an ideal result for me."

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Perez's believes he can keep his momentum going and further boost his performance level.

"I think we are working at a good level now," said the two-time Grand Prix winner. "But I look forward to do another step in these final four races, to try to deliver more in qualifying, deliver more in the race, and do the next step.

"To be in the mix for the win and for pole position, that would be great."

Read also: Verstappen 'the world champion' would 'absolutely' switch to #1

This weekend's round of racing at Interlagos will see F1 trial its Sprint Qualifying format for the final time, which means that there will be three extra points on offer for whoever prevails in the Saturday afternoon 30-minute mad dash.

Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko believes another win by Verstappen would likely represent a crucial step towards the title for the Dutchman.

"I have always said that the season is finished when Max achieves 10 victories," Marko told Austrian news outlet OE24. "As it looks now, the chances are great in Sao Paulo."

"We will continue to have an aggressive driving style to win."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.