Red Bull hire bodyguards for Max Verstappen over safety concerns at Mexico GP

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.