Max Verstappen 'views' Sergio Perez like player Lionel Messi 'wanted to kill'
Lionel Messi was not a happy man and Max Verstappen has been dragged into it.
Max Verstappen’s ruthless demolition of Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez has seen the Dutchman handed comparisons to Lionel Messi. The Dutch driver’s immense streak of form since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has poured salt in Checo’s wounds as he looks to save his F1 career.
Speaking in his latest blog instalment, famous Italian motorsport journalist Leo Turrini claimed that Verstappen represents to Perez what footballer Leandro Parades represents to Messi.
While that comparison may seem like an odd one on the surface, Parades and Messi have had run-ins on the pitch in the past, despite playing together as team-mates for the Argentina national team at the recent World Cup in Qatar.
Speaking to Caja Negra about the incident, which occurred during PSG’s dominant 4-1 win against Juventus in the Champions League back in 2021, Parades explained: “He got angry because I had made a comment to my team-mates and he heard me, and he got angry. He became really angry. He f***ed me up. It was bad. He wanted to kill me and I wanted to go home.”
Don't miss... Michael Schumacher message sent by ex-F1 and Ferrari boss Jean Todt [LATEST]
Thankfully the duo were able to move past the incident. Parades continued: “Afterwards, I saw him in the national team and he acted as if nothing happened. He showed me what he is like as a person. The relationship continued as it was.”
While Verstappen and Perez haven’t officially come to blows, there have been some tense moments during their time as team-mates. The Red Bull duo were at the centre of the drama in Brazil last season when the Dutch driver refused to give a position to Checo and help him in his fight to take P2 in the Drivers’ Championship.
More F1...
Lance Stroll lifts the lid on reason behind massive Fernando Alonso deficit [LATEST]
Lewis Hamilton sparks FIA investigation as Mercedes star calls for change [LATEST]
Lewis Hamilton unhappy as FIA launch review, Ferrari boss risks Leclerc argument [LATEST]
That incident is believed to stem from suspicions that Perez deliberately crashed during his final qualifying run in Monaco earlier that season, costing Verstappen a shot at pole position. Checo made his feelings about Verstappen clear after the race, stating: “He shows who he really is.”
Unfortunately for the Mexican driver, his position and power within the team are waning more and more with every coming race. The former McLaren and Racing Point man now trails his world champion team-mate by an insurmountable 125 points at the season’s halfway stage and will need to fight tooth and nail in the second half of the year if he is to retain his seat.