Verstappen: Title fight with Perez won't change relationship

Max Verstappen says that Sergio Perez joining F1's title fight this season won't change the positive relationship that the two drivers enjoy at Red Bull.

Perez's win in the Monaco Grand Prix has put the Mexican just 15 points behind his teammate in the Drivers' standings and 6 points behind Ferrari Charles Leclerc.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says Perez is now a genuine contender for the championship, on a par with Verstappen.

In Sunday's post-race presser, Verstappen was asked whether a three-way battle including Perez would undermine in any way their good working relationship at the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

"I don't think so, in terms of whether the relationship will change," Verstappen replied, to which Perez added, tongue in cheek: "We are still going to be in love, right?"

"We work really well as a team," Verstappen added.

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"We always try to optimise the car and work for the team and we can accept when somebody does a good job or does a better job, and I think that's very important, because that's how you are respectful to each other.

"May the best man win at the end, right?

"We are always, of course, trying to do the best we can on the track, but we also respect each other a lot and try to score the most possible points every single weekend for the team."

Like in Spain, Verstappen was hoping to profit from a setback in the Ferrari camp in Monaco, but in the end the Dutchman was content with his spot on the podium, especially given the race's chaotic circumstances, and genuinely happy to see his teammate clinch his third career win in F1.

"I did the best I could, of course, after yesterday," he said. "We did a really good job with the strategy to basically get ahead of the Ferraris.

"I think as a whole team, we can be very pleased with the Sunday.

"It was a very hectic one with the rain and stuff, but I think we executed it well and I extended my points lead, which I didn't expect last night, so I think that's a positive.

"It was tough, especially when it's wet and you haven't really driven around with the weather and the tyres, of course. It was very slippery," he continued.

"It's an amazing result for Checo, I am so happy for him."

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