Sergio Perez has 'zero' chance of Max Verstappen's help at Las Vegas GP

16 November 2023 , 15:20

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Christian Horner expects Sergio Perez to get the job done in Las Vegas (Image: AP)

Christian Horner admitted it is highly unlikely Max Verstappen will actively try to help Sergio Perez this weekend.

But the Red Bull chief also believes the Mexican should not need assistance to make sure of second place in the drivers' standings at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. That's the prize on the line for the team this weekend, with both championships already sewn up long ago.

Red Bull have never achieved dominance like what they have displayed this season. And they have also never had their drivers finish first and second in the standings before, which is what Horner dearly wants Perez to seal in 2023.

In truth, the 33-year-old should have made sure of it a long time ago. The RB19s have been by far the quickest cars on the grid and the fact it has taken Perez this long shows how much he has struggled relative to Verstappen this year.

But he now sits 32 points clear of Lewis Hamilton ahead of the final two rounds of the season. It remains mathematically possible but highly unlikely that the Mercedes driver will be able to bridge that gap and so Perez will be expected to make it official in Sin City.

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Hamilton needs to outscore Perez by seven points to keep his slim hopes alive. Meanwhile, Verstappen has nothing at all to play for other than to add to his career victory total which has already passed the half-century mark, aged just 26.

But that doesn't mean he will be going out of his way to give Perez a helping hand on track. Asked what the likelihood of that happening in Vegas this weekend, team boss Horner replied: "Somewhere between zero and one, I would say."

He went on to add: "Checo, I don't think he's going to need that help, Max is focused on his thing. He doesn't want to leave anything on the table. He's focused on an incredible year that he's been having, and he just wants to keep winning. Checo shouldn't need that help from Max."

Hamilton was asked about his chance of catching Perez by reporters in Las Vegas. After initially joking he was "coming for" the Mexican, he replied: "He's too far away now, to be honest.

"30 points [sic] in two races, he would have to have two disasters and I would have to be second basically. But for me, honestly, it really doesn't make any difference if I'm second or third."

Daniel Moxon