Perez urges respect from fans over Vertsappen hostility

Sergio Perez has urged his faithful supporters to support the entire Red Bull team during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.

A partisan crowd was in attendance at the Circuit of the Americas for last weekend's United States Grand Prix, where chants of 'Checo' preceded a chorus of boos for teammate and three-time World Champion Max Verstappen after he secured a 50th career F1 win.

Perez and Verstappen have had a fractured history as teammates with tension spilling over at last season's São Paulo Grand Prix.

Since then, fans of the Mexican have been less than impressed with the support given to Perez by Red Bull and matters were not helped by a xenophobic slur made by Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko when assessing the six-time race winner's poor form mid-season - though an apology was forthcoming.

With fears the team - Verstappen in particular - could be welcomed to a hostile atmosphere at Perez's home race, he has sent a plea out calling for support.

Crazy support expected

"Mexico is my most important weekend of the season and I can’t wait for my home race," said Perez.

"The support in Austin this weekend was crazy, so I can’t even imagine what Mexico will be like, it’s going to be very special.

"We have made some very good steps with the car but didn’t get to fully show our progress due to taking some wrong directions with the set-up this past weekend.

"I am optimistic for this week, we know what direction we have to take now so hopefully we get to show that. We have a few things to sort out with the car and we should come back stronger.

"I want Mexico to come out to support the whole Red Bull team, not just me."