Perez Backs Verstappen for Title, Blasts McLaren's 'Messing Around'

Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen's former teammate, is firmly backing the Dutch driver to clinch the Drivers' title, crediting Verstappen's "phenomenal" driving and Red Bull's mid-season turnaround. Perez also criticized McLaren for what he calls "messing around," which has allowed Verstappen to close the gap significantly in the championship battle.

Why it matters:

After a challenging start, Max Verstappen's surge in performance has completely reopened the F1 Drivers' Championship. What was once seen as a potential McLaren runaway has now become a tight three-way contest, highlighting the dramatic shifts in team performance and driver execution throughout a demanding season. This keeps the title fight unpredictable and highly engaging for fans.

The details:

• Verstappen's Resurgence: Verstappen's performances are credited for drawing in F1 viewership, with Perez stating, "Max has been basically the action of the year, you know, he’s keeping everyone watching Formula 1."
• Tightening Title Battle: The gap between the top three contenders – Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Verstappen – has shrunk to just 36 points, intensifying the championship race.
• Red Bull's Transformation: Perez highlighted Red Bull Racing's successful efforts in turning around their season, enabling Verstappen to maximize his potential.
• McLaren's Stumbles: McLaren's recent struggles, described by Perez as "messing around," have inadvertently aided Verstappen's title challenge, suggesting strategic or operational missteps.
• Perez's Prediction: When asked to predict the champion among Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen, Perez unequivocally backed Verstappen, stating, "I think he is the driver that deserves the most, this championship, because he’s been driving phenomenally."

What's next:

The championship battle is poised for a thrilling conclusion, with McLaren team leaders Andrea Stella and Zak Brown acknowledging Verstappen as a major threat. They've indicated that a contingency plan is in place should Verstappen continue his impressive run and potentially secure the title, emphasizing the high stakes for the Woking-based squad. The coming races will reveal whether Verstappen can capitalize on his momentum or if McLaren can regain their early-season form.