Perez and Verstappen challenge multiple world champion

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez frequently engage in challenges with other athletes to test themselves ahead of Grands Prix. This week a battle with Tom Slingsby was scheduled, Red Bull Racing said in a press release.

The Australian is a two-time SailGP champion. While Verstappen and Perez teamed up with Jimmy Spithill, a sailor who is also part of Red Bull, Slingsby did the work alone. It gave the Formula One drivers a chance to experience a completely different sport.

Verstappen reacted very enthusiastically afterwards. "I’ve had a pretty incredible experience," he said. "I’ve never done anything like it. We do a lot of really cool things at Red Bull and this is definitely one of them. SailGP is extremely professional, and the race boats are much bigger than expected, it was impressive to see the aerodynamics and the foils."

Perez also enjoyed his day. "It was something unique," states the Mexican. "We are doing some racing but not on the track – on the water. Like every sport when you see it from the outside it is so different when you actually jump into it. It is so impressive, I have a lot of admiration for what these guys do."