F1: Number two drivers ‘can’t live in a fairytale world’

Max Verstappen reignited his feud with Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez by telling F1’s number two drivers to “accept” they are second best.

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.”

Now Verstappen has waded in again – by comparing Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes partner Valtteri Bottas more favorably to other number two drivers.

The Dutch two-time F1 king told Viaplay: “Every year he starts fresh, but after a few races you realize it’s not going to happen again, and you accept your role.

“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 (certainly he meant Sergio Perez), but you have to accept your role. You can’t live in a fairy tale world.”