Verstappen Fulfills Helmet Promise to Former Teammate Perez

Max Verstappen has fulfilled his promise to give Sergio Perez one of his helmets, a gesture that highlights the respect between the former Red Bull teammates. The Dutch driver delivered the orange helmet with a personal message on the visor, which Perez later shared on social media. This exchange comes after Perez's departure from the team and ahead of his 2026 return with Cadillac.

Why it matters:

• In the high-pressure world of F1, especially at a team like Red Bull, public displays of mutual respect between former teammates are notable.
• The exchange reinforces that their relationship was genuinely strong, countering media narratives that often tried to paint them as fierce rivals with underlying tension.
• It provides a positive, humanizing story in the F1 off-season, shifting focus from on-track battles to personal connections.

The details:

• The promise originated during the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix press conference, where Verstappen mentioned Perez had previously given him a helmet with a "very nice message."
• Verstappen specifically said he hoped to give Perez his helmet around the Mexican Grand Prix, emphasizing, "I know how Checo is and we have a great relationship."
• The fulfillment was revealed in Perez's year-end Instagram recap, showing him holding the orange helmet.
  • The Message: Verstappen wrote on the visor, "Thank you for being a great teammate and friend," a clear and heartfelt sentiment.

What's next:

• While Verstappen remains with Red Bull aiming for a fifth consecutive title, Perez is preparing for his return to the grid in 2026.
• He will partner with Valtteri Bottas at the new Cadillac team, marking a significant new chapter in his career after a year away from full-time competition.
• This helmet swap serves as a fitting closure to their time as teammates before they potentially reunite as on-track rivals in 2026.