The Mexican, second in a championship already won by Verstappen for the third year running, emphasised the slogan of a local #racepect campaign in saying what happened on track must stay on track. "Whatever happens on track should always stay there and that's the best message we as a country want to give to the rest of the world." "Checo (Perez) and I have got on very well, I don't think there is a rivalry. Verstappen has won four of the last five Mexican Grands Prix while the country is still waiting for its first home winner. Mexican Grand Prix organisers condemned the comments at the time and called for "a more respectful and united Formula One community, encouraging healthy competition both on and off the track."

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Persons: Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Verstappen, Perez, Red Bull, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen's, Checo, Helmut Marko riled, Alan Baldwin, Ken Ferris Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Formula, Red, Verstappen, Autodromo Hermanos, Texas, Grands Prix, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Japan, Dutch, Austrian, Mexican, London