Jos Verstappen ridicules Perez’s father over Red Bull claims

Jos Verstappen has dismissed Antonio Perez Garibay’s suggestion that his son was key to Red Bull’s world championship dominance.

Sergio Perez, 35, is due to return to the Formula 1 grid next season with Cadillac after a year on the sidelines, following his departure from Red Bull. But his father’s latest remarks have stirred fresh controversy about the Mexican’s four seasons alongside Max Verstappen.

“Checo drove for Red Bull for four years. How many years did Red Bull hold the championship? Four years,” Perez senior was quoted by Mexican outlets. “Checo Perez made Verstappen the champion. If Checo had had the same car, he would now be the world champion. Red Bull needed him.”

He even referred to Lewis Hamilton as an “eight-time world champion”, a pointed barb at Verstappen given the stormy end to the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi.

Dutch magazine Formule 1 highlighted the comments on social media, prompting Max’s father and co-manager to respond bluntly.

“What an idiot that guy is,” Jos Verstappen, 53, wrote in Dutch. “He was always given the same equipment. He just needed to step on the gas.”