"I don't think Max is going to get the warmest reception in Mexico," commented team boss Christian Horner after Verstappen won to boos in Austin last Sunday.
Perez, with 'Never Give Up' prominent on a specially-designed helmet for the occasion, remains positive despite a run of poor form.
Perez, a winner twice this year, has been off the podium in his previous four outings and beaten by Verstappen in the last 14.
Verstappen has won four of the last five Mexican Grands Prix while Perez has been third in the last two.
Denmark's Frederik Vesti will take George Russell's Mercedes and Britain's Oliver Bearman replaces Kevin Magnussen at Haas for FP1.
Persons:
Sergio Perez, Greenlee Beal, Bull, Max Verstappen, Mexico City's Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Max, Christian Horner, Verstappen, Austin, Perez, Alain Prost, McLaren's Lando Norris, German Nick Heidfeld, Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Hamilton, Jack Doohan, Mick, Isack Hadjar, Theo Pourchaire, Denmark's Frederik Vesti, George Russell's Mercedes, Britain's Oliver Bearman, Kevin Magnussen, Haas, Alan Baldwin, Ed Osmond
Organizations:
United, Prix, Mexico City's Autodromo Hermanos, Verstappen, Grands Prix, Alpine, FP1, Thomson
Locations:
United States, Americas, Austin , Texas, U.S, Mexican, Mexico, German, Austin, London