Sergio Perez reveals and Issues about statement Max Verstappen’s hel…read more
Sergio Perez has offered fans a glimpse into the respect shared between himself and Max Verstappen after revealing a special helmet gift from his former Red Bull team-mate, complete with a personal message.
The Mexican driver, who partnered Verstappen at Red Bull from 2021 to 2024, posted a collection of photos on Instagram reflecting on the past year. Among the images was a helmet given to him by the four-time world champion, a long-promised gesture that symbolised their time together at the Milton Keynes-based team.
Perez and Verstappen formed one of the most discussed driver pairings of the modern Formula 1 era. While Verstappen dominated the sport during their years together, winning the world championship in every season they were team-mates, Perez played a key supporting role during Red Bull’s period of sustained success. His strongest campaigns came in 2022 and 2023, when he finished third and second respectively in the drivers’ championship, helping Red Bull secure constructors’ titles and countless race victories.
Despite frequent media focus on tension within the Red Bull garage, both drivers have consistently maintained that their relationship away from the track was built on mutual respect. Verstappen publicly underlined this earlier in the year when he confirmed he intended to give Perez one of his own helmets as a thank-you for their time together.
Speaking to the media in June, including RacingNews365, Verstappen explained that the idea stemmed from a gift Perez had previously given him. “I still need to give him a helmet of mine – I promised him that, because he gave me one of his with a very nice message on it,” Verstappen said at the time. He added that he hoped to hand it over around the Mexican Grand Prix, emphasising that their relationship remained strong regardless of outside narratives. “So, for me, whatever is written in the media, I know how Checo is and we have a great relationship,” Verstappen stated.
That promise has now been fulfilled. In the Instagram post shared by Perez, the gifted helmet is clearly visible, with a handwritten message from Verstappen across the visor. The note reads: “Thanks for being a great team-mate and friend,” a short but meaningful acknowledgement of their shared journey in Formula 1.
The gesture carries particular significance given the scrutiny that surrounded Perez’s position at Red Bull during his final seasons with the team. As Verstappen continued to raise the benchmark with relentless consistency and race-winning performances, Perez often found himself under pressure to match his team-mate’s pace. This dynamic fuelled constant speculation about the state of their working relationship and Perez’s long-term future within the team.
However, moments like this helmet exchange highlight a more personal side to their partnership, one that contrasts with the competitive narratives often portrayed in the media. While Formula 1 is defined by rivalry and performance, it is also built on collaboration, especially within top teams chasing championships. Perez’s contributions, particularly in supporting Red Bull’s strategic goals and constructors’ ambitions, were widely acknowledged within the paddock, even during challenging periods.
For Perez, sharing the image now appears to be both a reflective and appreciative moment. His Instagram post, which featured several snapshots from the past year, suggested a period of looking back rather than dwelling on immediate competition. Including the helmet among those images underlined how much the relationship with Verstappen meant to him beyond race results and standings.
The exchange of helmets is also a long-standing tradition in motorsport, often reserved for moments of respect between drivers. In this context, Verstappen’s message reinforces the idea that, despite any on-track frustrations or external pressure, the bond between the two drivers remained intact.
As both drivers move into new chapters of their careers, the helmet stands as a reminder of one of Red Bull’s most successful eras. Verstappen continues to set records at the front of the grid, while Perez’s future remains a topic of interest among fans and analysts alike. Regardless of what lies ahead, this small but meaningful gesture has offered a rare insight into the human side of elite-level Formula 1 competition—where rivalry and friendship can coexist, and where shared success leaves a lasting mark.
