Perez: Red Bull team orders in Mexico would be ‘a great problem’

Sergio Perez says Red Bull being forced to issue team orders this Sunday in Mexico would be a “great problem” to have.

Red Bull enters the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend as favourites for victory over title rivals Mercedes.

Max Verstappen, Perez’s team-mate, is currently competing for his first championship in Formula 1 against Lewis Hamilton.

With just five races remaining in the campaign, team orders would likely see Perez and Verstappen swap positions prior to the chequered flag should the former be heading his team-mate.

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However, a decision could bear more weight this weekend in Mexico, as Perez has a potential race-winning car underneath him for the first time at his home race.

“I think everyone is so enthusiastic, everyone in my team, the crowd, it’s a very special venue for us,” Perez said. 

“It’s a very intense fight but we’ll see during the race. I’m pretty sure everyone in the team, if there’s a race they want me to win, it’s this one. I’m sure I have full support from everyone in my team. 

“I think it [team orders] will be a great problem to have from my side. It always depends on the situation, because most of the decisions are usually taken during the race and the heat of the event. 

“I think depending on the circumstances, we’ll see. But I’m pretty sure that the whole team, Red Bull, everyone wants me to win this weekend.”

Despite the lingering threat of swapping positions, Verstappen has often been the star performer at Red Bull this year, with Perez only being ahead while off strategy in Portugal, Baku, France and USA. He also was ahead of Verstappen for much of Russia, when Verstappen took a Power Unit grid penalty.

Last time out at the United States Grand Prix, Perez crossed the line in third place, taking his fourth podium of the year.

“I really want to carry on my form,” Perez added. “I’m feeling more at home now with the team and the car. 

“I really hope I can put a great Saturday [together], because overtaking here is generally very hard. 

“We put a lot of demand on the brakes and the engines, so it’s always a very tricky race if you are not at the front. So I look forward  to putting together a good qualifying.”