Red Bull manager Christian Horner has spoken about the relationship between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
According to Horner, drivers competing for the same team cannot be good friends because they are direct opponents.
The drivers are bound to the team by contractual obligations, they compete for the team. The expression teammates are the worst delusion one can think of (in Formula One).
Max and Checo are definitely not friends, because the guy who drives the second car is the only one against whom you will be judged. Your partner is the only person with exactly the same capabilities, with exactly the same equipment. And competing with a teammate can make or break your career.
There’s been a complete reset this year. And Checo has become much more comfortable behind the wheel of a Red Bull car. He believes in himself – believes he can be a champion, it adds dynamics to the whole situation.
It is clear that our main competitor is Ferrari, but it is also clear that our drivers want to fight with each other. And that’s normal – they just need to be more careful, because it’s not your personal cars, 800 people have worked on their creation, and you are lucky enough to be behind the wheel of these machines. Just treat it with respect, said Horner.