Final yr in an analogous state of affairs at Interlagos, a civil warfare broke out within the Crimson Bull camp after Verstappen refused to let Perez by to attain additional factors.
It later emerged that it was seen by Verstappen as payback after Perez’s qualifying crash in Monaco a number of months earlier had stopped the Dutchman’s shot at pole.
Perez is at present mendacity second 20 factors forward of Lewis Hamilton with three occasions to go, together with the dash weekend in Brazil.
PLUS: How his home race crash perfectly encapsulates why Perez lost the 2023 F1 title battle
A one-two on this planet championship is a prized goal of group boss Christian Horner, as Crimson Bull has not beforehand achieved it.
Perez believes that this time round Verstappen will assist if there’s a situation the place swapping the vehicles round will give the Mexican priceless additional factors.
“We’ve not considered it,” stated Perez when requested if he anticipated to have assist from his team-mate. “However I believe if the state of affairs arises, I am certain I’d have assist from Max.”
When requested if he would assist Perez this time, Verstappen opted to not give a clear-cut reply and as an alternative hoped such a situation gained’t come up once more this yr.
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Sergio Perez, Crimson Bull Racing RB19
“On the finish of the day, I believe that it should not at all times matter [depend] on me, to get the factors,” stated the Dutchman.
“However I am assured in Checo that he can keep forward, as a result of I do suppose that on common, now we have the quicker automotive.
“And I believe additionally final yr, it wasn’t rather well spoken about earlier than we acquired into the race weekend.
“However let’s simply hope that we do not get into that. That state of affairs I believe is best for everybody.”
In the meantime, Perez revealed how arduous it was to take care of his accident on the primary lap of his house race final weekend.
“Yeah, it was very painful, tremendous painful, going again house,” when requested by Autosport how he’d felt on Sunday night.
“It was only a very unhappy day. It damage lots, particularly when you concentrate on what might have occurred if there was no contact. I used to be shut to creating it work.
“However then in a short time, additionally, I realised that I gave all of it. I used to be combating for the lead, and I took a big gamble. And it did not repay.
“However I needed to ensure that I maintain my head excessive, as a result of I gave all of it by means of the weekend. And the followers had been wonderful additionally after the occasion with a lot assist, and in addition the group was tremendous supportive. So yeah, it helps that we’re again right here in Sao Paulo.”
Perez insisted that he’s totally targeted coming into the Interlagos weekend after receiving public assist from Crimson Bull bosses Christian Horner and Helmut Marko.
“Undoubtedly,” he stated. “I believe it is a terrific alternative for me to point out how sturdy I’m mentally, and the way can I believe as an athlete.
“You at all times have these types of moments, however a very powerful factor is the way you overcome them, and the way you recuperate from them.”