Sergio Perez says he and Max Verstappen are solely rivals on monitor and never off it amid elevated safety for Purple Bull on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix.

Verstappen and Purple Bull advisor Helmut Marko have been singled out in some native media retailers as issues for Perez, with Marko having made questionable feedback concerning the Mexican’s nationality up to now. Nonetheless, Perez says that the one time that he and Verstappen are rivals is throughout a race and desires his followers to grasp there aren’t any exterior points between the pair.

“No, in no way, and I feel it’s vital that we give this message as a result of I feel the media likes to create this kind of rivalry outdoors of the monitor,” Perez mentioned. “I feel we’re a fantastic sport, we’re a fantastic instance for lots of younger generations and we must always simply be targeted on the sports activities aspect.

“No matter occurs on monitor ought to all the time keep there and that’s one of the best message we as a rustic wish to give to the remainder of the world. There’s nothing else occurring. Crucial is that the whole lot stays on monitor.

“I feel, clearly, we’re all rivals, however on the similar time we’re all sports activities athletes and all of us wish to do one of the best for ourselves. Max and myself are in the identical crew, so we each wish to win and we’re all the time giving our greatest, so I don’t assume there ought to be any rivalry.

“For instance, if I’m in a race with Fernando (Alonso), he’s not my rival outdoors of the monitor — we’re simply preventing on monitor — however the media wish to create this rivalry outdoors of the monitor which I don’t assume is nice, and it’s vital for the followers to grasp that.”

Verstappen has additional safety with him in Mexico Metropolis however says he doesn’t really feel unsafe or unwelcome by the native fanbase.

“I’ve a bit extra safety right here, however there are all the time a number of international locations around the globe the place it’s very busy,” Verstappen mentioned. “Additionally right here within the paddock, for instance final yr, it was actually, actually busy to get out of your hospitality to your storage. It simply helps to make all of it a bit smoother on-track, off-track, touring out of your resort and stuff like that.

“I really feel very secure. Yesterday I had a complete advertising and marketing day, and it’s been actually a fantastic reception right here like I all the time had. It’s good to be again.”

The Dutchman echoed Perez’s feedback relating to any rivalry between them, as a brand new marketing campaign known as #Racepect has been launched this weekend to discourage abuse.

“Yeah [the rivalry is], made up,” he mentioned. “Checo and I, we get on very well. For us, I don’t assume there’s any rivalry. After all as a driver on monitor, you all the time wish to be first otherwise you attempt to be sooner, however I feel now we have loads of respect for one another, and we respect one another’s performances.

“I feel it’s an excellent factor that [the campaign] perhaps begins right here now. It’s not solely right here. Typically, the habits of the group in some locations I feel could be a bit higher. For instance in Austin, perhaps it was a bit in the direction of me, however usually, I feel the habits of supporting your favourite driver is ok, however then I feel you additionally must respect the competitors.

“This isn’t solely in our sport. It’s a normal drawback in loads of sports activities that I feel must be checked out, and must be improved.”