Max Verstappen rebukes Toto Wolff's critique on Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez
- Rob Fleming
- 1 September 2023
Max Verstappen has lashed out at Mercedes' team principal, Toto Wolff, for his recent comments regarding the performance gap between Verstappen and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
Verstappen further solidified his Formula 1 dominance with a resounding ninth-consecutive victory at the Zandvoort Grand Prix last weekend, widening his lead in the Drivers' standings to a substantial 138 points over Perez. This latest triumph adds to Verstappen's impressive tally of 11 wins out of 13 races this season.
While Perez occupies the second spot in the Drivers' standings, his inconsistent form, coupled with errors and a noticeable lack of speed - evident in a five-race streak without a Q3 appearance from Monaco to Great Britain - has cast a shadow over his performance.
In response to Perez's struggles, Wolff, in his characteristic blunt manner, stated to media, "We've witnessed this for years; Checo is a Grand Prix winner, a multiple Grand Prix winner, so I cannot fathom it. We've seen Max Verstappen outperform every teammate he's had. It could be attributed to his knack for crafting a car that's notoriously challenging to handle but exceptionally fast when tamed, resulting in these performance gaps."
Verstappen, unimpressed with Wolff's remarks, retorted, "Those comments are nonsense. I drive the car to achieve the fastest possible lap times. I don't instruct the team to cater to my preferences. I simply ask for the fastest car, and I adapt my driving style accordingly.
"Every year, each car behaves slightly differently. When people inquire about my driving style, it's not fixed; I adapt to suit the car's requirements. What matters most is the ability to adjust your driving to match the car's needs."
As Formula 1 enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza, located just outside Milan, they anticipate the high-speed spectacle that this iconic circuit, often referred to as the 'cathedral of speed,' promises.
Monza holds a special place in the hearts of F1 fans and serves as the home race for Ferrari, the sport's oldest team. It's also the stomping ground for AlphaTauri, who secured their only two F1 victories at this revered racetrack.
