“The number one with us is the one who drives at the front”: Red Bull boss on the conditions for Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are allowed to compete with each other for the title, as per the terms set by Red Bull. Team Principal Christian Horner said that both drivers ride with Red Bull and anyone who brings points to the team and puts the team on top of the points table.

The Bulls are allowed to lock horns with each other but not at the cost of the team. Sergio Perez had made it clear that he would step up to compete for the title with Max Verstappen. Therefore, it is justified that the team boss doesn't think that appointing a number one driver would be fair to either of them.

Explaining the dynamics between the two drivers on Extraordinary Tales, Horner said:

"Ultimately it's all about what they do on the track: the number one with us is the one who drives in the front. You have two drivers under contract with the team and we have two championships. One for the manufacturers and one for the drivers and sometimes a conflict can arise there."

Speaking further:

"They represent 1500 employees of our team and all partners and shareholders. So they represent much more than just themselves."

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Can Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez run the Red Bull roadshow together?

It has been a close contest between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez over the last five races. For the majority of the races, both the Red Bull drivers have taken positions P1 and P2. The on-track rivalry looks like an intense clash with Sergio Perez pushing Max Verstappen more than he ever has in the previous seasons.

They have managed to stir clear of any collisions on track so far, but their ongoing cold war is something both fans and the team boss have noticed.

Sergio was quite frustrated after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when Max disobeyed team orders to pursue the fastest lap. The drivers had bad blood at the previous year's Brazilian Grand Prix. This came after Max didn't let Sergio pass in his bid to finish ahead of Charles Leclerc in the championship standings.

Though Max and Sergio have been warned by Horner, it also appears that he is proud of having highly competitive drivers on his team. This is what Horner said at a news conference after the Miami Grand Prix:

“I think that it is a luxury problem first of all. I think any team principal in the pit lane would hope to have that issue.”

Sergio's performance this season has proved to give Max Verstappen much-needed competition after winning back-to-back titles. Horner said that "Checo" was on a high. But he suggested that Perez's skills as a driver would be put to the test on some of the traditional tracks.