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Ollie Bearman was barely three months old when Fernando Alonso won his first world championship in 2005 – but on his Formula One debut in Mexico City, the Essex 18-year-old finished ahead of the double world champion. “That was an added bonus,” he said with a broad smile. On Friday, Bearman made history by becoming the youngest British driver to step foot in an F1 machine at a Grand Prix weekend. And he quietly impressed, too. Competing for American outfit Haas, Bearman finished 15th in first practice, only 1.6 seconds slower than triple world champion Max Verstappen, and three tenths adrift of Nico Hulkenberg – a veteran of 200 grands prix – in the other Haas. He was also speedier than Alonso. Five rookies were fielded at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, and Bearman was quickest of them all. Raised in Chelmsford, and schooled at King Edward VI Grammar, Bearman joined Ferrari’s driver academy, aged only 16. Bearman had just won both the German and Italian Formula Four championships, and his performances made those at Maranello sit up and take note. He quit school – despite initial resistance from his mother, Terri – left the family home in Chelmsford, and moved to Modena, a dozen miles north of Ferrari’s headquarters in northern Italy. Two years on, and his Italian twang is noticeable. “Maybe I got a bit lucky not to get the Essex accent,” he joked, in an interview with the PA news agency. I miss my family, my two dogs - I have an English Bull Terrier and a Boston Terrier and they are very cute - and that is the negative side. But the food in Italy is a big chunk above the English stuff, and the weather is better, too Ollie Bearman “A lot of people have told me my accent has changed even if I don’t notice it. I spend a lot of time with Italians and to communicate with people where English is not their first language is not easy, so I have changed my word order and ended up with this everywhere accent. “When I moved to Modena it happened pretty quickly. It was like going to university two years early, but I have loved every moment so far. My mum was very pro-school and very pro-education, but we managed to convince her in the end. “I miss my family, my two dogs – I have an English Bull Terrier and a Boston Terrier and they are very cute – and that is the negative side. But the food in Italy is a big chunk above the English stuff, and the weather is better, too.” Following four victories in his rookie Formula Two season – the feeder series to F1 – Bearman was thrust into the spotlight in Mexico City, eclipsing Lando Norris as the sport’s youngest Brit. Norris, now in his fifth season, was three months shy of his 19th birthday when he took part in practice for McLaren in Belgium in 2018. Bearman turned 18 in May. When Lewis Hamilton made his F1 bow, Bearman was only 18 months old. Yet on Friday, he shared the same asphalt as the seven-time world champion. “When I heard Hamilton was coming up behind me on a push lap I was like ‘wow, I will get out of the way’,” he added. However, it was Hamilton’s former McLaren team-mate, the 2009 world champion Jenson Button, who was Bearman’s childhood hero. “I heard Jenson was praising me on Sky, and that was amazing for me to hear,” he adds. “I don’t know why, but he was always the guy I loved and really looked up to. It is cool that he recognised my performance in practice, and I will try to speak to him here – that is my goal.” Bearman will remain in F2 next season and he will be back in an F1 machine in practice for Haas – effectively Ferrari’s B team – next month in Abu Dhabi. “It is really cool that I have been given this opportunity,” he said. “My whole career has been a pinch-yourself moment, and this is another one. “Ferrari is such an elusive team. They are an iconic brand, they have an iconic colour and they have the best-looking car on the grid. They are putting a lot of trust in me, and loyalty is an important part of this paddock. “Of course my goal is to become a Ferrari driver, and I need to do that with my performances on track. Today was an amazing moment, and one I will savour for years to come. “It is a shame it was only practice, but it is all part and parcel of the work we have been doing to get to the top.” Read More Max Verstappen sets fastest time in Mexican Grand Prix practice Max Verstappen urges fans to show him respect ahead of feisty Mexican Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton claims many more cars were illegal at United States Grand Prix Max Verstappen beefs up security in preparation for hostile reception in Mexico On this day in 2015: Lewis Hamilton crowned F1 world champion for third time Mercedes ‘need to take Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification on the chin’

Six months ago, it was all so rosy for Red Bull. Four races into the 2023 season and it was two apiece for Max Verstappen and Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez, with the Mexican seemingly signalling his intent to be a genuine contender for the championship with a sprint and race victory in Azerbaijan. After all, no car could come close to the speed generated by Red Bull design-guru Adrian Newey and his team of top-tier engineers this season. Even in Miami a week later, Perez looked set to take the lead in the standings after claiming pole position, with Verstappen down in ninth. But since the Dutchman stormed to victory, propelling past his team-mate with relative ease, it has been one-way traffic. And while Verstappen has won every race bar one since then, amid an unprecedented winning streak, Perez’s form has fallen off a cliff. Since Miami, Perez has recorded just four podiums in 13 races in the fastest car on the grid – and none in his last four meets. On the contrary to challenging Verstappen for the title, he is now looking over his shoulder as he tries to seal second place. “I think there was a decisive moment this year which was probably in Miami where Checo had, if you like, an open goal,” said his boss Christian Horner. “He’d won two races in Azerbaijan and Saudi and you could see his confidence was high. “I think that Max, winning that race… I think mentally that was quite a brutal one for Checo to deal with.” Nothing, in fact, symbolised Perez’s struggles more than when he handed Verstappen the title by crashing out of the sprint race in Qatar, tangling with back-of-the-pack cars down the order. The Dutchman did not even need to finish to wrap up championship No 3. And so, quite inevitably and despite holding a contract until the end of 2024, speculation has swirled about Perez’s future. Some of the criticism has been justified, but some has been over-the-top for a man who has dedicated the last 13 years of his life to Formula 1. Last month, the 33-year-old revealed he’d hired a mental coach to “become the best version of myself at home, but also as a driver.” But while no one can question his dedication to the sport, Red Bull can ill-afford to carry a passenger next season amid their current period of domination. A lack of obvious contenders to replace him – with the likes of Lando Norris and Alex Albon all held under long-term contracts – helps his cause and Perez does indeed have his short-term future in his own hands. Yet Albon’s own demise at Red Bull at the end of 2020 shows Horner and Helmut Marko aren’t afraid to ruffle feathers if needs be. Watching across at the sister team as well is nine-time grand prix winner Daniel Ricciardo, desperate for another shot at the big time. So, what can Perez do? By the end of the season-finale in Abu Dhabi next month, he needs to have secured second in the championship. That is the minimum. Such is Red Bull’s ridiculous pace this year, being caught by the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton would represent something of a downbeat conclusion at the end of a peerless year for Red Bull, who’ve never registered a one-two season-end finish. But what Perez will want most of all is a statement performance; a weekend display of driving which proves he still deserves his spot at the top-table. At least for now. In practice on Friday, Perez was three-tenths of a second off his team-mate Verstappen, who unsurprisingly recorded the quickest time amidst the altitude of Mexico City, with Williams’ Albon sandwiched in-between. There would be no place better than his home race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez to silence the naysayers. A third podium in Mexico City would be satisfactory; a shock victory would be a dream. But the truth is it doesn’t have to come this weekend. Either one of the three races thereafter – in Brazil, Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi – gives Perez an opportunity. It doesn’t even need to be a podium; a drive from towards the back of the grid to near the front, with some exquisite racing, would prove he still has what it takes. If not, three years on from saving his F1 skin with a shock call-up at Red Bull for the unfortunate Albon, Perez himself could be the recipient of the ruthlessness of the Red Bull merry-go-round. Time to deliver, Checo. Read More F1 Mexican Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and lap times in Mexico City What time is F1 qualifying at the Mexico City Grand Prix? Red Bull hire bodyguards for Max Verstappen over safety concerns at Mexico GP Willy T Ribbs: ‘There were death threats – but I was never going to play the victim’ Mercedes chief admits ‘embarrassment’ after Lewis Hamilton disqualification Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc post amusing joint Instagram after DSQ

Max Verstappen completed a practice double for Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix by edging out Lando Norris. After leading the way in the first running at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Verstappen – who has won 15 of the 18 rounds so far – set the fastest time in the day’s concluding running. The Red Bull driver finished 0.119 seconds clear of McLaren’s Norris, with Charles Leclerc a quarter of a second back in his Ferrari. Home favourite Sergio Perez finished fifth, three tenths behind Red Bull team-mate Verstappen, while Lewis Hamilton took seventh for Mercedes, a third of a second down. Verstappen has dominated this year, and wrapped up his third successive world championship in Qatar earlier this month. And the Dutchman will head into the remainder of the weekend in the breathless Mexico City air as the man to beat. The high-altitude venue, which sits 2,200 metres above sea level, can often throw up anomalies, and Valtteri Bottas was a surprised fourth for Alfa Romeo, with Daniel Ricciardo sixth in his AlphaTauri, just three tenths off the top. Hamilton finished a close second to Verstappen in the United States a week ago before he was disqualified for running an illegal floor on his Mercedes. But despite his post-race exclusion, Hamilton hoped his speed in Austin would enable him to challenge Verstappen here. However, the seven-time world champion failed to challenge the top of the leaderboard on Friday, finishing 11th and seventh respectively in the two sessions. George Russell, who sat out the opening running as Mercedes blooded academy driver Frederik Vesti, finished 10th, half-a-second behind Verstappen. Earlier on Friday, Ollie Bearman made history by becoming the youngest British driver to take part in a Formula One weekend. Bearman, 18, competing for American outfit Haas, ended his F1 debut in 15th, only 1.6 sec slower than Verstappen and three tenths adrift of Nico Hulkenberg – a veteran of 200 grands prix – in the other Haas. Bearman also finished one place ahead of double world champion Fernando Alonso. F1 teams must run a rookie driver at least twice during the season and Chelmsford-born Bearman was handed his chance to impress, breaking the British record previously held by Norris. Norris was three months shy of his 19th birthday when he took part in practice for McLaren in Belgium in 2018 before he was promoted to a race seat the following season. Bearman turned 18 in May. The teenager, a member of the Ferrari academy, has taken four victories in F1’s feeder series Formula Two and is sixth in the standings ahead of next month’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Max Verstappen set the fastest time in practice for the Mexican Grand Prix as teenager Oliver Bearman made history by becoming the youngest British driver to take part in a Formula One weekend. Verstappen denied Williams’ Alex Albon top spot by just 0.095 seconds at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City as home favourite Sergio Perez finished third, three tenths back. Lando Norris was fourth for McLaren – half a second behind Verstappen – with Lewis Hamilton only 11th, one second off the pace in his Mercedes. Bearman, 18, competing for American outfit Haas, ended his F1 debut in 15th, only 1.6 sec slower than Verstappen and three tenths adrift of Nico Hulkenberg – a veteran of 200 grands prix – in the other car. Bearman also finished one place ahead of double world champion Fernando Alonso. F1 teams must run a rookie driver at least twice during the season and Chelmsford-born Bearman was handed his chance to impress, breaking the British record previously held by Norris. Norris was three months shy of his 19th birthday when he took part in practice for McLaren in Belgium in 2018 before he was promoted to a race seat the following season. Bearman turned 18 in May. The teenager, a member of the Ferrari academy, has taken four victories in F1’s feeder series Formula Two and is sixth in the standings ahead of next month’s season finale in Abu Dhabi. He is also expected to be given a second run for Haas at the Middle Eastern venue. Hamilton was disqualified from last weekend’s United States Grand Prix after running an illegal floor on his Mercedes. Hamilton finished a close second to Verstappen to provide him with hope he could challenge the all-conquering Dutchman here. But the seven-time world champion struggled for pace at the venue which sits 2,200 metres above sea level. Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell was forced to miss the first running with Danish junior driver Frederik Vesti taking over. He finished 19th. In all, five young drivers were fielded in the running with Bearman the fastest. Elsewhere, Charles Leclerc finished fifth, with Oscar Piastri sixth for McLaren. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, sidelined from Thursday’s media sessions with a stomach bug, ended the running in seventh. Read More F1 Mexican Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and lap times in Mexico City Max Verstappen urges fans to show him respect ahead of feisty Mexican Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton claims many more cars were illegal at United States Grand Prix F1 2023 official calendar: All 23 Grand Prix this year Max Verstappen beefs up security in preparation for hostile reception in Mexico What time is F1 qualifying at the Mexico City Grand Prix?

Max Verstappen set the fastest time in practice for the Mexican Grand Prix as teenager Oliver Bearman made history by becoming the youngest British driver to take part in a Formula One weekend. Verstappen denied Williams’ Alex Albon top spot by just 0.095 seconds at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City as home favourite Sergio Perez finished third, three tenths back. Lando Norris was fourth for McLaren – half a second behind Verstappen – with Lewis Hamilton only 11th, one second off the pace in his Mercedes. Bearman, 18, competing for American outfit Haas, ended his F1 debut in 15th, only 1.6 sec slower than Verstappen and three tenths adrift of Nico Hulkenberg – a veteran of 200 grands prix – in the other car. Bearman also finished one place ahead of double world champion Fernando Alonso. F1 teams must run a rookie driver at least twice during the season and Chelmsford-born Bearman was handed his chance to impress, breaking the British record previously held by Norris. Norris was three months shy of his 19th birthday when he took part in practice for McLaren in Belgium in 2018 before he was promoted to a race seat the following season. Bearman turned 18 in May. The teenager, a member of the Ferrari academy, has taken four victories in F1’s feeder series Formula Two and is sixth in the standings ahead of next month’s season finale in Abu Dhabi. He is also expected to be given a second run for Haas at the Middle Eastern venue. Hamilton was disqualified from last weekend’s United States Grand Prix after running an illegal floor on his Mercedes. Hamilton finished a close second to Verstappen to provide him with hope he could challenge the all-conquering Dutchman here. But the seven-time world champion struggled for pace at the venue which sits 2,200 metres above sea level. Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell was forced to miss the first running with Danish junior driver Frederik Vesti taking over. He finished 19th. In all, five young drivers were fielded in the running with Bearman the fastest. Elsewhere, Charles Leclerc finished fifth, with Oscar Piastri sixth for McLaren. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, sidelined from Thursday’s media sessions with a stomach bug, ended the running in seventh. Read More Max Verstappen urges fans to show him respect ahead of feisty Mexican Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton claims many more cars were illegal at United States Grand Prix Max Verstappen beefs up security in preparation for hostile reception in Mexico On this day in 2015: Lewis Hamilton crowned F1 world champion for third time Mercedes ‘need to take Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification on the chin’ Max Verstappen defies Lewis Hamilton to edge United States Grand Prix victory

Sergio Perez will be eyeing a dream victory on home soil at the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend. The Red Bull driver has endured a difficult few months and has not won since Azerbaijan in April. His team-mate Max Verstappen, however, has won 15 races this season and has already sealed his third world title. Verstappen was triumphant last week at the US Grand Prix in Austin where Lewis Hamilton - who finished second - was disqualified alongside Charles Leclerc for an illegal floor. Lando Norris came home third, but was promoted to second after Hamilton’s DSQ, for his 12th podium in F1 but the McLaren driver is still chasing his first win. Verstappen won last year’s race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Follow updates from the Mexican Grand Prix with The Independent Read More F1 icon Willy T Ribbs: ‘There were death threats – but I was never going to play the victim’ Max Verstappen urges fans to show him respect ahead of feisty Mexican Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton claims many more cars were illegal at United States Grand Prix

Max Verstappen has told the boo brigade to show him some respect as the triple world champion prepares to enter the lion’s den at Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix. Verstappen has beefed up his security for Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez’s home race at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez venue in Mexico City. Verstappen, who was jeered by Perez’s supporters a week ago in Austin, Texas, is prepared for another hostile reception this weekend – and he will be flanked by multiple security guards in the paddock. Organisers of the event – which is set to attract a crowd of nearly 400,000 over the three days – have appealed to fans for tolerance by launching the #Racepect initiative. Verstappen was jeered by Perez’s travelling fans in Miami earlier this year, while Lewis Hamilton was also booed here last year. “The hashtag doesn’t need to suit me,” said Verstappen. “It needs to suit the behaviour of the people and it is good to raise awareness because the behaviour of the crowd at some places can be better. “In Austin, it was against me. Supporting your favourite driver is fine, but you also have to respect the competition. “It is not only in Formula One, but is a general problem in a lot of sports that needs to be looked at and needs to be improved.” Perez’s fans remain unhappy Verstappen did not help the Mexican secure second place in last season’s championship after he ignored a team order at the penultimate round in Brazil. Perez has won only twice this season – his last victory in Azerbaijan on April 30 – with Verstappen racing to his third title in as many years. But the Dutchman added: “The rivalry with Sergio is made up. We get on really well. As a driver you try to be first or faster, but we have a lot of respect for each other and we appreciate each other’s performances. “For me, I feel very safe. I have had a great reception so far, and it is good to be back.” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko will also be accompanied by security guards. Last month, Marko, 80, referred to Perez’s background when discussing his driver’s inconsistent form. He said: “Let’s remember that he (Perez) is South American and so he is not as focused as Max Verstappen or Sebastian Vettel was.” Marko apologised for the remarks, but Hamilton believes Perez deserves greater support from within Red Bull. The seven-time world champion said: “As a driver, I understand the psychological and mental pressures weigh so heavily on you. It is difficult to put into words. “Sergio has carried himself really well, but I don’t think his team has been massively supportive – one spokesperson in particular has not been really great in helping him. “If I heard (Mercedes team principal) Toto (Wolff) talking negatively about me it would be tough. It is a difficult environment for him, but he has dealt with it to the best of his ability.” Read More Lewis Hamilton claims many more cars were illegal at United States Grand Prix Max Verstappen beefs up security in preparation for hostile reception in Mexico On this day in 2015: Lewis Hamilton crowned F1 world champion for third time Mercedes ‘need to take Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification on the chin’ Max Verstappen defies Lewis Hamilton to edge United States Grand Prix victory I can do something wiser with my time – George Russell stops using social media

Lewis Hamilton has claimed there were multiple drivers who should have been disqualified from last weekend’s United States Grand Prix for running an illegal car. Hamilton was stripped of his second place after the floor on his upgraded Mercedes failed a post-race scrutineering check. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who finished sixth, was also kicked out of the classification for an identical breach. But Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who claimed his 15th win of the season, and the McLaren of Lando Norris, elevated to second following Hamilton’s penalty, were both cleared of any wrongdoing. However, speaking ahead of this weekend’s race in Mexico City, Hamilton said: “I heard from several sources that there were a lot of other cars that were illegal and they were not tested so they got away with it. “I have been racing here for 16 years and there have been many other scenarios like this where some people have got away with it, and some have been unlucky and have been tested.” Hamilton said the sprint format in Austin – which allowed for just one hour of practice before parc ferme rules heavily constrict changes to the cars – coupled with the bumpy nature of the Circuit of the Americas were behind his disqualification. Limited FIA resources means the governing body checks only a handful of cars after a race, and the selections are based on oscillation data. But Hamilton continued: “There needs to be a better structure to make sure it is fair and even across the board. “We have never had that problem in Austin before, and is because we had a sprint race. An easy fix is that we should be able to change the floors. “The car should not be set from Friday morning especially at the bumpiest track on the calendar. “That is the only reason there were failures. And that reason wasn’t why we were as fast as we were. We hope we have another strong weekend here.” Hamilton finished just 2.2 seconds behind Verstappen in his most competitive race of the season – one he believed he could have won if Mercedes did not fluff their strategy lines. “I had just come out the press conference and I was about to get into the ice tub when (team principal) Toto (Wolff) came running down and told me,” added Hamilton. “It was devastating because it was such a great day and a great race. I was deflated, but there are lots of positives to take from it.” Read More Max Verstappen beefs up security in preparation for hostile reception in Mexico On this day in 2015: Lewis Hamilton crowned F1 world champion for third time Mercedes ‘need to take Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification on the chin’ Max Verstappen defies Lewis Hamilton to edge United States Grand Prix victory I can do something wiser with my time – George Russell stops using social media Charles Leclerc snatches pole position after Max Verstappen’s lap was deleted

The 2023 Formula 1 season is heading into its final stretch of races and Red Bull have dominated throughout much like they did in the back end of 2022. This year sees 23 races held in a record-breaking calendar, as Max Verstappen is on the verge of three in a row following back-to-back World Championship triumphs. Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team have found further improvements so far this year following a disappointing 2022 season. Meanwhile Ferrari are struggling to match their strong start to 2022. There are new faces on the grid too - such as Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant - and all 20 drivers will be itching to get back on track after a three-month break with the official pre-season test in Bahrain before the first race of the season a week later. This year’s biggest shake-up so far came mid-season when AlphaTauri driver Nyck de Vries was dropped almost immediately after Silverstone as he failed to impress the higher-ups at Red Bull. He has been replaced by returning favourite Daniel Ricciardo. Here is everything you need to know. What is the 2023 F1 calendar? ROUND 1 —BAHRAIN Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir - 3-5 March ROUND 2 - SAUDI ARABIA Jeddah Corniche Circuit - 17-19 March ROUND 3 - AUSTRALIA Albert Park, Melbourne - 31 March-2 April ROUND 4 - AZERBAIJAN (sprint weekend) Baku City Circuit - 28-30 April ROUND 5 - MIAMI Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium - 5-7 May ROUND 6 - EMILIA ROMAGNA CANCELLED Imola Circuit - 19-21 May ROUND 7 - MONACO Circuit de Monaco - 26-28 May ROUND 8 - SPAIN Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - 2-4 June ROUND 9 - CANADA Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal - 16-18 June ROUND 10 - AUSTRIA (sprint weekend) Red Bull Ring, Spielberg - 30 June-2 July ROUND 11 - GREAT BRITAIN Silverstone Circuit - 7-9 July ROUND 12 - HUNGARY Hungaroring, Budapest - 21-23 July ROUND 13 - BELGIUM (sprint weekend) Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 28-30 July ROUND 14 - NETHERLANDS Circuit Zandvoort - 25-27 August ROUND 15 - ITALY Monza Circuit - 1-3 September ROUND 16 - SINGAPORE Marina Bay Street Circuit - 15-17 September ROUND 17 - JAPAN Suzuka International Racing Course - 22-24 September ROUND 18 - QATAR (sprint weekend) Lusail International Circuit, Lusail - 6-8 October ROUND 19 - UNITED STATES (sprint weekend) Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 20-22 October ROUND 20 - MEXICO Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 27-29 October ROUND 21 - BRAZIL (sprint weekend) Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 3-5 November ROUND 22 - LAS VEGAS Las Vegas Street Circuit - 16-18 November ROUND 23 - ABU DHABI Yas Marina Circuit - 24-26 November When and where does the 2023 F1 season start? The first race of the season, the Bahrain Grand Prix, takes place from Friday 3 March - Sunday 5 March at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. Qualifying on Saturday 4 March starts at 3pm (GMT) with the race on Sunday also at 3pm (GMT). When is pre-season testing? Pre-season testing takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit the week before the first race, from Thursday 23 February - Saturday 25 February. Running will take place between 7am and 4:30pm (GMT) on each of the three days. There will be an hour’s break midway through each session for lunch. Each driver will have one-and-a-half days worth of time in the car. How can I watch it online and on TV? The Bahrain Grand Prix, as well as pre-season testing, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. Sky Sports subscribers can watch pre-season testing on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. What has been said? Max Verstappen has challenged Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes to raise their game and provide him with the championship battle that Formula One needs. Verstappen ran away with last season’s title, winning 15 of the 22 races, to secure his second championship with four rounds to spare. In contrast, Hamilton, in his under-performing Mercedes, endured the worst year of his career as he failed to win a race and finished 214 points adrift. But when addressing the prospect of renewing his rivalry with Hamilton at Red Bull’s season launch in New York, Verstappen, 25, said: “In the interest of the sport you always want the teams to be super-close. “I do think it was close last year, but as a team we executed a lot of things better than the others and that was why the points gap was so big. I never felt, apart from two or three races, that we absolutely dominated. But for the general interest of Formula One, everyone wants a title battle with multiple teams involved.” What are the driver line-ups for 2023? RED BULL Max Verstappen Sergio Perez FERRARI Charles Leclerc Carlos Sainz MERCEDES Lewis Hamilton George Russell ALPINE Esteban Ocon Pierre Gasly McLAREN Lando Norris Oscar Piastri ALFA ROMEO Valtteri Bottas Zhou Guanyu ASTON MARTIN Fernando Alonso Lance Stroll HAAS Kevin Magnussen Nico Hulkenberg ALPHATAURI Yuki Tsunoda Daniel Ricciardo/Liam Lawson WILLIAMS Alex Albon Logan Sargeant *italics represents new addition to the grid/change of team Read More The rise of Oscar Piastri: A genuine rival for Lando Norris at last Daniel Ricciardo ruled out of Qatar Grand Prix Andretti F1 team entry bid accepted by FIA Poignant Netflix film captures the many facets of legendary Schumacher What happened to Michael Schumacher and what’s latest health update? 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Max Verstappen has beefed up his personal security as he prepares for a hostile reception at Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez’s home race in Mexico. Verstappen was jeered by Perez’s supporters at last weekend’s podium presentation in Austin as the triple world champion celebrated his 15th win of the season. Chants of “Checo, Checo” – in support of Perez – were also audible during the Dutch national anthem. A crowd of nearly 400,000 are expected at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez over the course of the weekend, with practice starting on Friday and it is understood Verstappen will be flanked by multiple security guards in the paddock. Perez’s fans are unhappy Verstappen did not help the Mexican secure second place in last season’s championship after he ignored a team order at the penultimate round in Brazil. Perez has won only twice this season – his last victory in Azerbaijan on April 30 – with Verstappen racing to his third title in as many years. The paddock in Mexico City has become one of the most manic on the calendar, with drivers mobbed as they make their way from the motorhome to the garage. And Perez is also expected to have a bigger entourage than normal to cover-off his enthusiastic fanbase. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and the team’s motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko will also be accompanied by security guards. Speaking after last weekend’s race in Austin, Horner said: “I don’t think Max is going to get the warmest reception in Mexico, but that is water off a duck’s back to him. “One year you are the villain and the next year you are the hero.” Perez heads into this weekend’s round 206 points behind Verstappen. However, he is 39 points clear of third-placed Lewis Hamilton, who was disqualified from second at the Circuit of the Americas for running an illegal floor on his Mercedes.

Sergio Perez will be eyeing a dream victory on home soil at the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend. The Red Bull driver has endured a difficult few months and has not won since Azerbaijan in April. His team-mate Max Verstappen, however, has won 15 races this season and has already sealed his third world title. Verstappen was triumphant last week at the US Grand Prix in Austin where Lewis Hamilton - who finished second - was disqualified alongside Charles Leclerc for an illegal floor. Lando Norris came home third, but was promoted to second after Hamilton’s DSQ, for his 12th podium in F1 but the McLaren driver is still chasing his first win. Verstappen won last year’s race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Here is everything you need to know. What is the race schedule? (All times BST/GMT) Friday 27 October Free practice 1: 7:30pm Free practice 2: 11pm Saturday 28 October Free practice 3: 6:30pm Qualifying: 10pm Sunday 29 October Race: 8pm How can I watch it online and on TV? The entire race schedule from Mexico will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event in the UK and Ireland. Sky’s coverage of the race on Sunday starts at 6:30pm (GMT). The weekend’s action will be broadcast on ESPN in the United States. Free-to-air highlights in the UK will be aired on Channel 4; for qualifying at 8:30am (GMT) on Sunday morning and the grand prix early on Monday morning at 1am. Sky Sports subscribers can watch all the action in Mexico on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription. Driver Standings 1) Max Verstappen - 466 points (champion) 2) Sergio Perez - 240 points 3) Lewis Hamilton - 201 points 4) Fernando Alonso - 183 points 5) Carlos Sainz - 171 points 6) Lando Norris - 159 points 7) Charles Leclerc - 151 points 8) George Russell - 143 points 9) Oscar Piastri - 83 points 10) Pierre Gasly - 56 points 11) Lance Stroll - 53 points 12) Esteban Ocon - 44 points 13) Alex Albon - 25 points 14) Valtteri Bottas - 10 points 15) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points 16) Yuki Tsunoda - 8 points 17) Zhou Guanyu - 6 points 18) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points 19) Liam Lawson - 2 points 20) Logan Sargeant - 1 point 21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points 22) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points Constructors’ Championship 1) Red Bull - 706 points (champions) 2) Mercedes - 344 points 3) Ferrari - 322 points 4) McLaren - 242 points 5) Aston Martin - 236 points 6) Alpine - 100 points 7) Williams - 26 points 8) Alfa Romeo - 16 points 9) Haas - 12 points 10) AlphaTauri - 10 points What is the 2023 F1 calendar? ROUND 20 - MEXICO Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 27-29 October ROUND 21 - BRAZIL (sprint weekend) Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 3-5 November ROUND 22 - LAS VEGAS Las Vegas Street Circuit - 16-18 November ROUND 23 - ABU DHABI Yas Marina Circuit - 24-26 November Read More Red Bull hire bodyguards for Max Verstappen over safety concerns at Mexico GP Willy T Ribbs: ‘There were death threats – but I was never going to play the victim’ Mercedes chief admits ‘embarrassment’ after Lewis Hamilton disqualification Nicolas Hamilton: ‘Lewis has never put a penny into my racing... it’s not easy being related to him’ Zhou Guanyu interview: ‘There is a lot of pressure in F1 – only winners stay in this sport’ Daniel Ricciardo is back - and this time he wants to go out on top

Max Verstappen will be accompanied by two bodyguards at this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix amid safety concerns. Red Bull have decided to act after the Dutchman was booed by a section of Mexican fans at the US Grand Prix in Austin last Sunday, while there was also chanting of “Checo” during the Dutch national anthem. Social media threats have also been made against the three-time F1 world champion. Verstappen and his Mexican team-mate Sergio Perez have endured a topsy-turvy relationship, with a significant low in Brazil last year when Verstappen ignored a team order to let Perez pass him. And while Verstappen did not ask for protection in the Mexico City paddock, Red Bull special advisor Helmut Marko revealed the team are not taking any chances. “Max doesn’t really want that [bodyguards] and is relaxed,” Marko told F1-Insider.com. “But we have responsibility for him. That’s why we just want to play it safe.” World champion Verstappen is 226 points clear of Perez in the championship standings, with 15 wins compared to two. Perez has not won since Azerbaijan in April and has endured a dismal few months despite being in the quickest car on the grid. It has resulted in speculation that the Mexican will lose his seat for 2024, a year before his contract runs out. But team boss Christian Horner has repeatedly insisted Perez will be their driver next year. Perez will be eyeing a historic victory at his home race this weekend, where he has been on the podium twice. Read More Willy T Ribbs: ‘There were death threats – but I was never going to play the victim’ Mercedes chief admits ‘embarrassment’ after Lewis Hamilton disqualification Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc post amusing joint Instagram after DSQ