Latest Episode | Cut To The Race Podcast
Jos Verstappen makes a thinly veiled dig about Sergio Perez’s ability to win races and sends an ominous warning to the rest of the field
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in spectacular fashion on Sunday. The Mexican driver now stands second in the drivers’ championship behind his teammate Max Verstappen, by only one point. Could Perez beat his teammate to the title this year?
While he successfully battled from P15 to P2 in the race, Verstappen was unhappy about his finishing position in Saudi Arabia. Former Formula One world champion Nico Rosberg revealed that Verstappen also failed to show up for a team meeting following Saturday’s qualifying session. A move that Rosberg disapproved of.
The Red Bull driver wasn’t the only unhappy Verstappen on Sunday. Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen’s father, appeared rather stone-faced on the television cameras whilst Perez celebrated his victory.
Jos Verstappen getting caught up in the Sergio Perez celebrations ? pic.twitter.com/R8vXNNQ4Cw
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) March 19, 2023
However, the former Formula One driver did go on to congratulate Perez on his victory, which was caught on a different camera.
Btw Jos Verstappen congratulated Perez..
So before we all judge we need to have all the facts, not just what the media tells you. pic.twitter.com/Iqa7fSyEQt
— Donny Verstappen (@DonnyVerstappen) March 20, 2023
Verstappen believes Perez does not get the “chance” to win “often”
Following the post-race celebrations, the elder Verstappen appeared to make a dig at Perez during an interview with Formule1.nl. Verstappen raced in Formula One on and off between 1994 and 2003, he scored two podium finishes in 106 starts. And while his son has scored 36 Grand Prix victories in his career so far, the elder Verstappen did not win a Formula One race during his career.
While discussing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen said that the race win “was not possible today,” for his son. He then went on to briefly mention Perez, saying:
“I don’t think he [Perez] gets the chance [to win] that often. He sees that too and then goes for it.”
Verstappen went on to say that his son’s qualifying position was “bad luck,” and without it, he would have “easily” got pole position. And that, in turn, would have made the race “a bit easier.”
“Updates” to come for Red Bull says Verstappen
The former driver also opened up about the RB19, and whether the other teams can catch Red Bull this year. He said:
“It looks like we will be dominant. We have a very good car. If you saw how easily they drove away now, a second faster. Can that be caught up by the rest this year? I do not know. But it’s not like we’re standing still, are we? We also come with updates.”
Will Verstappen’s latest comments cause tension between his son and his teammate? And will the rest of the field be able to catch the Red Bull this year?
Feature Image Credit: @formulatwtindo on Twitter