Max Verstappen defends Sergio Perez after podcast comments questioned

Max Verstappen has downplayed any tension with Sergio Perez following recent comments made in a podcast

Max Verstappen has responded to suggestions of any hostility between himself and his former Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez. This comes after the Mexican driver discussed his career with the Milton Keynes team on a podcast, but Verstappen was keen to quash any ideas of hostility ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.

Talking on the Desde el Paddock podcast, Perez described the four-time champion as someone who "holds things in until he finally lets them out, usually on the track." Referring specifically to the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix and the following Brazilian Grand Prix, which saw Verstappen fail to follow team orders to let Perez past for sixth place as he fought Charles Leclerc in the drivers' standings.

"Max had an issue with what happened in Monaco," he said. "He never told me directly, he kept it to himself and brought it up six or eight months later. At the time, we talked about it and cleared everything up... But Max is like that. He holds things in until he finally lets them out, usually on the track."

When asked about the comments made by the former Red Bull driver and whether he was disappointed to hear such things, Verstappen remained diplomatic.

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Images

"No, but I think also how you now word it is not how he meant it. I have a great relationship with Checo. We've always, I think, been great team-mates. I have a lot of respect for him. He has a lot of respect for me. That's it from my side. I'm looking forward to hopefully see him again soon in the paddock.

"I still need to give him a helmet of mine. I promised him that because he gave me one of his with a very nice message on it. I promised him, hopefully around Mexico, that I can give him mine."

He continued, emphasising that he has a "great relationship" with the driver.

"For me, whatever is written in the media... I know who Checo is, and we have a great relationship."

The two drivers worked successfully following this clash, with the two finishing first and second in the 2023 drivers' standings - a first in their team's history. Perez wasn't as lucky in 2024, with him eventually being replaced by Liam Lawson for the 2025 season after a number of disappointing results plagued what had been a solid run from the Milton Keynes outfit.