Verstappen gets 2 bodyguards during Mexico GP

MEXICO CITY — Max Verstappen insists any notion of a bitter rivalry between himself and Pink Bull teammate Sergio Pérez is “made up,” after his safety was elevated forward of Perez’s dwelling race in Mexico this weekend.

Verstappen has two bodyguards with him over the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, though he says their goal is to make sure a “smoother” journey from resort to circuit relatively than due to any clear risk to his safety.

This week, the occasion promoters have launched a marketing campaign with the tagline “Racepect” forward of Sunday’s race, that includes billboards across the metropolis that carry the slogan: “There isn’t a rivalry off the monitor.”

Throughout Thursday’s media session, Verstappen, who has dominated Perez on monitor this yr, insisted any suggestion of a rivalry together with his teammate was fictitious.

“That is made up,” Verstappen stated. “Checo and I, we get on rather well. For us, I do not assume there may be any rivalry.

“In fact, as a driver on-track, you at all times wish to be first or to be quicker. I feel we’ve a whole lot of respect for one another, and we recognize one another’s performances. I feel it is a good factor that it [the Racepect campaign] possibly begins right here now.”

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When Verstappen obtained his winner’s trophy on the U.S. Grand Prix final weekend boos rang out from the grandstand — one thing he hopes will be stamped out at future races.

“It isn’t solely right here [in Mexico], basically I feel the behaviour of the gang in some locations I feel generally is a bit higher,” Verstappen stated. “For instance, in Austin possibly it was a bit in direction of me however basically, I feel the behaviour of supporting your favorite driver is ok, however then I feel you additionally should respect the competitors.

“However this isn’t solely in our sport. It is a basic downside in a whole lot of sports activities that I feel must be checked out, and must be improved.”

Requested if he used the booing as further motivation, Verstappen added: “I keep impartial in all the pieces, in successful, in dropping, in these form of eventualities, I feel for me that undoubtedly works the most effective.

“I am there to win, I am there to carry out, and so long as I can have a look at myself that I did the most effective I may and I am there standing with the trophy, then that is it for me. That is what’s most necessary for me on the finish of the weekend.”