The drama at Red Bull Racing has only intensified as we moved into the 2023 Formula 1 season, with the tension between teammates Sergio Pérez and Max Verstappen continuing to grow. After an eventful 2022 season that provided plenty of behind-the-scenes drama, 2023 promised to be even more competitive and full of surprises, particularly when it comes to the rivalry between the two drivers.

At the heart of this ongoing saga is the desire for supremacy within the team, with Verstappen firmly established as the team’s top driver, and Pérez eager to prove he is more than just a supporting player. Verstappen, having won back-to-back World Championships in 2021 and 2022, has long been the leader at Red Bull. However, Pérez’s growing confidence and the car’s apparent improvement have raised the stakes for what promises to be an epic internal battle for supremacy.

The 2022 Drama Sets the Stage for 2023

The friction between Verstappen and Pérez had already started bubbling in 2022, with incidents like the Monaco Grand Prix, where Pérez used some “sneaky tricks” to stay ahead of Verstappen. Despite helping Verstappen win the 2021 championship and securing numerous wins for the team in 2022, the relationship between the two drivers started to show cracks. Verstappen, always fiercely competitive, wasn’t willing to forgive Pérez for outsmarting him in Monaco, further fueling the rivalry.

In the same vein, Verstappen showed his impatience with his team when he refused to obey Red Bull’s instructions in the latter part of the 2022 season. His defiance of orders, especially when asked to ensure a fastest lap time in the race, further deepened the rift. His cold, almost indifferent reaction to Pérez’s celebrations after a win — his father, Jos Verstappen, also failing to show any signs of joy — did not go unnoticed by fans and observers. This all pointed to a situation similar to Mercedes in 2016, when the team’s internal strife between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg led to a fractured atmosphere within the camp.

2023: The Rivalry Escalates

In 2023, Pérez has come out swinging, and the competition between him and Verstappen is fiercer than ever. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where Pérez managed to hold off Verstappen in a fair and square battle, was a major milestone in their rivalry. Verstappen, starting from 15th on the grid, faced a more difficult race with worn-out tires compared to Pérez, who was in a more favorable position. Despite this, Verstappen’s legendary ability to recover and chase down his teammate raised eyebrows, as he finished a strong second.

What was particularly significant about the race was Pérez’s assertion that he was in the hunt for the championship. This was a statement that sounded bold, but one that Pérez seemed ready to back up with his on-track performance. He demonstrated his strength and tactical acumen, and for the first time, he wasn’t just the number two driver following in Verstappen’s shadow.

However, Verstappen wasn’t ready to concede anything. In an unexpected turn of events, Verstappen managed to set the fastest lap on the final lap of the race, sparking tensions within the team. When Pérez discovered this, it added more fuel to an already heated atmosphere. He questioned if the team had instructed Verstappen to maintain a steady pace, which only served to highlight the simmering tension between the two.

Team Dynamics and Public Disputes

The competition between the two drivers is not just confined to the track but has also spilled over into the public domain. Pérez, in a bold move, took to Twitter, publicly declaring his intentions to challenge Verstappen for the title. While this was a rare public show of ambition from Pérez, it also demonstrated the stakes involved in the Red Bull rivalry. This wasn’t just a team battle anymore; this was a personal challenge, and Pérez wasn’t going to back down.

The team, meanwhile, has faced the challenge of managing the growing animosity between their two drivers. Team principal Christian Horner has tried to maintain order, but it’s clear that Red Bull faces a delicate situation. Verstappen’s warning that he wasn’t there to finish second, coupled with the way his father has reacted to Pérez’s wins, paints a picture of an unhappy dynamic. Jos Verstappen’s indifferent reaction to Pérez’s Saudi victory, in particular, went viral and was seen as a sign of a deeper issue within the team.

Red Bull’s head of motorsport, Helmut Marko, reportedly had a conversation with Verstappen’s father, warning him that actions like those in Jeddah wouldn’t be tolerated moving forward. The situation was tense enough that Marko suggested Jos Verstappen might not be welcome at race weekends if he didn’t learn to celebrate the team’s success, not just his son’s.

The Battle for the Championship

Pérez’s newfound confidence has been noted by many within the sport, with experts like Damon Hill suggesting that the Mexican driver is stepping up to the challenge. According to Hill, Pérez has the potential to compete for his first World Championship this year, now that Red Bull has given him a car capable of delivering results. Hill even praised Pérez for his ruthless attitude, drawing comparisons to how Nico Rosberg handled the pressure in 2016 when he ultimately defeated Hamilton to win the title.

However, what Pérez will have to prove is whether he can maintain the consistency needed to challenge Verstappen throughout the season. In Formula 1, a few strong performances aren’t enough — a driver needs to be at the top of their game for every race. While Pérez excels on street circuits, his consistency on other types of tracks has been questioned, and that could be a significant hurdle for him as the season progresses.

For Verstappen, the battle has always been about proving his dominance. His confidence and desire to be the number one driver at Red Bull are unshakeable, and he won’t back down easily. As the reigning two-time World Champion, Verstappen is used to leading the charge and doesn’t take kindly to any threats to his position.

Conclusion: A Season to Watch

As the 2023 Formula 1 season unfolds, the internal battle at Red Bull Racing is bound to become even more intense. With Verstappen and Pérez both gunning for the championship, the team faces the challenge of keeping its two star drivers focused on success while managing the growing tension between them.

It remains to be seen whether Pérez can sustain his form and maintain his challenge throughout the season. What is clear, however, is that he isn’t going to back down, and Verstappen will have to work harder than ever to maintain his dominant position. Red Bull Racing, for now, is in the enviable position of having two highly competitive drivers, but this internal battle could either make or break their 2023 campaign. The world of Formula 1, as always, will be watching closely.

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