MAX VERSTAPPEN reignited his feud with Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez by telling F1’s number two drivers to “accept” they are second best.
Verstappen claims things go “completely wrong” if team No2s live in a “fairytale world” of not agreeing their partner is “just a bit better”.
The world champion’s comments follow a public spat with Perez that erupted at last month’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
Verstappen ignored team orders to let Perez pass him for fourth place, having warned before the race he would not make way.
The Mexican blasted: “It shows who he really is.”
Nut not only did Verstappen himself hit back, his mum accused Perez of cheating in a now-deleted message.
Replying to criticism of her son on Instagram, Sophie Kumpen posted: “And then in the evening cheating on his wife.”
Her remark appeared to relate to a video posted online in June showing Perez dancing with mystery women in Monte Carlo.
He later apologised for his behaviour but said it was just a “bad party” and that his marriage was “more united than ever”.
Now Verstappen has waded in again by comparing Lewis Hamilton‘s Mercedes partner Valtteri Bottas more favourably to other number two drivers.
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The Dutch two-time F1 king told Viaplay, via Motorsport Week: “Every year he starts fresh, but after a few races you realise it’s not going to happen again and you accept your role
“He [Bottas] still finished on podiums, he won a few races and took pole positions.
“You just have to accept that the driver next to you is just a bit better. That’s fine, that can happen.
“It’s important that he accepted it. Some drivers can’t do that and then it goes completely wrong.
“Then they don’t survive for very long. I’m not going to name names, but you have to accept your role. You can’t live in a fairytale world.”
The saga has captivated seven-time world champ Hamilton – but not in a way that F1 chiefs will appreciate.
The Brit said this month: “It feels like the Kardashian show, it’s pretty hilarious.”
