In a shocking turn of events that rocked the world of Formula 1, the quadruple world champion Max Verstappen caused a media storm by making critical comments on his former teammate Red Bull Sergio “Checo” Perez during live broadcast. The words of Verstappen, which quickly became viral, not only shocked the fans, but also caused a shocking reaction from Perez, leaving the dumbfounded audience and forcing Dutch to apologize.

The incident occurred during a Twitch streaming session where Verstappen, known for his outspokenness, was engaged in an informal conversation with fans. When a user asked him if he was possible that Checo Perez returned in Formula 1 after his departure from Red Bull in 2024, Verstappen replied dryly: “He is too old and does not have the level to return to F1! These words, pronounced in a tone that many interpreted as contemptuous, generated a wave of reactions on social networks, especially among the Mexican supporters of Pérez.

Checo Pérez’s response was not long in coming. In a statement published on social networks, the Mexican pilot has chosen not to counterattack aggressively, surprising by his elegance and calm: “I respect Max and his opinion, but my career in F1 talks about herself. I have always given everything and I will continue to fight for my dreams, whatever my age. This mature response not only calmed the fans, but also demonstrated the mental force of Pérez, making it even more loved by his fans.

Media pressure and fans criticisms forced Verstappen to apologize the next day. In a statement, the Dutchman said: “My comments were out of context and did not reflect my real opinion on Checo. I have always appreciated his contribution to Red Bull and I wish him the best for the future. However, these apology failed to completely appease the supporters of Pérez, who believed that the evil was already done.

This episode revived the debate on the relationship between Verstappen and Pérez during the period when they were together at Red Bull (2021-2024). Although they trained a historic partnership, winning 99 podiums and two manufacturers’ championships, tensions between the two men were sometimes obvious, especially in 2024 when the RB20 performance affected Pérez’s results. Despite this, Pérez has always distinguished himself by his loyalty and teamwork, playing a fundamental role in the first title of Verstappen in 2021.

While the 2025 season is underway and Red Bull is faced with challenges following Perez’s departure, this incident highlights the pressure at which Verstappen is confronted as a team leader. Meanwhile, Checo Pérez continues to be linked to a potential return to F1, proving that her heritage in sport is far from over.