Max Verstappen wins third consecutive Formula One world championship
Formula One champion Max Verstappen has beefed up his security ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix with ‘thousands’ of Sergio Perez fanatics reportedly set to attempt to prevent the Dutchman from gaining entry to the circuit. Many Mexican F1 fans have taken exception to Verstappen’s antics with Red Bull team-mate Perez in recent years.
Verstappen is hoping to extend his unassailable lead over his rivals at this weekend’s race. However, it is claimed that he will be accompanied by extra security.
Reports in the Mexican media claim that Perez’s fans will attempt to block the 26-year-old’s entry into the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Verstappen has often clashed with colleague Perez, whose own struggles have seen him fall well behind the three-time world champion in this year’s leaderboard.
According to Mexican publication La Cronica de Hoy, ‘thousands’ of Mexican Perez fans will reportedly block the streets leading towards the venue in an attempt to stop Verstappen from entering.
The anger stems from Verstappen’s refusal to let Perez pass at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, disobeying team instructions. Verstappen also seemed to make subtle digs at his team-mate while Perez suffered a dip in form earlier this year.
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Fans will show their support for Perez at his home race this weekend. However, the 33-year-old has asked supporters to be respectful.
He said: “No, not at all. I think it’s important that we give this message because I think the media likes to create this sort of rivalry outside the track.
“We are a great sport, we are a great example for a lot of younger generations. We should just be focused on the sporting side.
“Whatever happens on track should always stay there and that’s the best message we as a country want to give to the rest of the world. There is nothing else going on. The most important is that everything [that happens] stays on track.”
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Verstappen is set to beef up his security for the weekend. However, he seemed to downplay that the reason was because of hostility from the home crowd. Asked about a stronger security presence, he said: “I mean, why not? Yeah, I mean, I have, of course, a bit more security here. But there are always a few countries around the world.
“And you know, where it’s very busy also here in the paddock, for example, last year, it was really, really busy to get from your hospitality to the garage. And, yeah, it just helps also to just make it a little bit smoother on track, off track, you know, to your hotel, and stuff like that.”
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