Red Bull Racing has made the decision to hire bodyguards for their star driver, Max Verstappen, ahead of the Mexico Grand Prix. This move comes after Verstappen faced boos from fans during his last race in Austin, Texas.
Booed on the Podium
Despite his impressive performance at the Circuit of the Americas, where he secured his sixth win of the season, Verstappen was met with a chorus of boos. These boos primarily came from fans of Verstappen's Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, who felt that Perez had been disrespected by the team.
Visible Unimpressed
Verstappen's girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, was seen looking visibly unimpressed during the booing incident. With Perez's home race in Mexico approaching, where he enjoys strong support, tensions are expected to be high.
Additional Protection
In response to the potential hostile reception in Mexico, Red Bull has decided to provide Verstappen with additional protection. Red Bull director Helmut Marko explained that while Verstappen is relaxed about the situation, the team wants to ensure his safety.
Verstappen's Dominance in Mexico
Verstappen has a strong track record in Mexico, having won four of the last five races there. Red Bull's performance at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez has historically been impressive, making Verstappen a favorite for the upcoming race.
Perez's Future with Red Bull
There has been speculation that Perez could lose his spot on the Red Bull team if he fails to secure second place in the Driver's Championship. However, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner dismissed these rumors, stating that there is no pre-mandate on Perez's performance.
Despite occasional podium finishes, Perez's lack of consistent performance and support for Verstappen may be a concern for the team.
