P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has thrown his support behind Sergio Perez, arguing it is “very rare to have a team-mate like him” in F1.
Max Verstappen has expressed support for his teammate Sergio Perez, whose future with the team is uncertain and will be determined in the upcoming days. Despite Perez’s underwhelming performance in the latter part of the 2024 F1 season, Verstappen believes Perez has been treated unfairly throughout the year. Perez, who started the season strongly but saw a decline in performance, is now relying on his contract to secure his place with Red Bull Racing amid speculation about his future. Should Perez not retain his seat, it is likely that Red Bull will turn to Liam Lawson as his replacement, although details regarding this decision remain unclear. Verstappen, on the other hand, remains uncertain about the possibility of having a new teammate next season, expressing admiration for Perez and emphasizing their positive working relationship.
