Horner snarls at media: 'Unfortunately for you, that's not the case'

It has been about little else for days: the (possibly hostile) reception of Max Verstappen in Mexico, the country of his teammate Sergio Perez. The three-time world champion has two bodyguards in his vicinity, perhaps called in after noises that Mexican fans are trying to deny Verstappen access to the circuit. Verstappen would be seen as the Big Enemy, but Red Bull is doing all it can to keep the peace.

Enthusiasm for Perez is high in Mexico. That much is clear. After the boos in Austin to (among others) Verstappen, the expectation was that the Dutchman could also count on a hostile reception at the Mexican Grand Prix. And all under the banner of a great rivalry between Red Bull's two drivers. But Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing's team boss, says there is no such thing.

Horner praises Verstappen and Perez

"Well, first of all, I need to really disappoint you that there is no rivalry between the two drivers. They actually get on very well. They've gone on very well for three years. And whilst I'm sure the media would love them to be at each other's throats, unfortunately for you guys, they aren't. They work very well together, off-track and on-track, as we've seen on many, many occasions. And I think it's a great initiative, the Racespect thing that I witnessed on the way into the circuit today because it crosses all areas. It's not just about sport. I think it's life in general."

The organisers of the Mexican Grand Prix have started an initiative to have respect on and around the track. Horner thinks this is a great idea. Anyway, the team boss thinks it is perfectly normal that in sports, there are always fans of different drivers. "I think there's always passion associated with sport, which is great. And fans will always have their drivers and their teams that they support. And there's going to be incredible support for Checo here, as there has been for Max in Zandvoort and Belgium, for example, all the British drivers in Silverstone. And that's sport. I mean, Manchester City play Manchester United this weekend, and I'm sure they're going to be a pretty vocal crowd there in the UK. And I'm expecting great support from Checo and the team. But respect above everything is important."