Max Verstappen was given a foretaste of the hostile reception he can expect in Mexico City this weekend courtesy of the loud booing that marked his victory in Austin last Sunday. On arrival in Mexico, Verstappen can hardly have failed to spot giant billboards and murals carrying Perez’s fizzog. With Verstappen having wrapped up the title, any putative rancour between Max’s camp and Perez has dissipated. He has 15 wins to Perez’s two, and is 226 points richer, which puts him on a different planet. The pair’s first notable flashpoint occurred in Spain last year when Perez was ordered to let Verstappen through for the win. ‘I told you already, guys – don’t ask again,’ said Verstappen. Nor did Verstappen back up Leclerc in the final round in Abu Dhabi when Perez was running third.

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