Perez: No 'jealousy' from Verstappen as with past teammates

40

Sergio Perez says he has never felt any jealousy or resentment from Max Verstappen on those days when the Mexican has outpaced his Red Bull teammate.

Verstappen remains Red Bull's star driver and the Dutchman racked in six wins in the first half of the 2022 season, a result that has given him a clear lead in the Drivers' championship in which he holds a 38-point advantage over Ferrari's Charles Leclerc while Perez is 57 points adrift.

But the Mexican has acquitted himself well this season, outpacing Verstappen in qualifying in Saudi Arabia and outracing his teammate in Monaco.

Even if few believe that he can challenge for the world title, Perez is still a force to be reckoned with at Red Bull for Verstappen, far outperforming the latter's previous teammates at the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Read also: Verstappen insists RB18 upgrades not 'specifically designed' for me

"I think sometimes in the past I’ve had some jealousy from a team-mate," Perez told LadBibleTV.

"Because you obviously want to win, but when the guy next to you wins you have to give the credit, he’s done better than you, he’s won and you have to accept that and also feel proud of what he’s done, the guy next to you.

"And I think not many people can take it. But I think within us, when I win, when Max wins, there is always… we feel proud of each other and that’s something good within us."

Verstappen has dealt with talented teammates Carlos Sainz at Toro Rosso and Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull.

But F1's reigning world champion says his current level of maturity as a Grand Prix driver leads him to believe that Perez is the best teammate he's had so far.

"I started of course very young in Formula 1 and I had, I think, also a very good relationship with Daniel," commented Verstappen.

"But at the time I was still only 18, 19, and I think where I am now as a person is completely different.

"So I would say that what I have now with Checo is definitely the best, just because I matured a lot. And I think that also helps a lot with just how you approach each other."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.