Reports of conflict between Red Bull’s two drivers have been overblown, according to Sergio Perez. However, as some predict that new team reserve Daniel Ricciardo could be promoted for 2024, Perez insists that he and Verstappen actually have “much more respect for each other than people out there might think”. “To be honest, there’s a great atmosphere in the team. Verstappen’s win from pole in Melbourne put him a clear 15 points ahead of Perez in the drivers’ championship. “There is no doubt that there are no drivers who are in as good a shape as Max and that’s why he’s with the team,” Perez added.

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