Perez: Red Bull being 'sensible' about contest with Verstappen

Sergio Perez says Red Bull are being 'sensible' when it comes to the contest between himself and team-mate Max Verstappen.

The Mexican driver, who Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says is currently in the "form of his life", sits second in the Drivers' Championship behind Verstappen.

With just 21 points separating the two and Red Bull leading the way on track, the spotlight on the drivers' rivalry and the team's strategy is intensifying.

Perez knows he's performing well, but also recognises the team's position is of paramount importance.

"I just want to do the maximum for myself. I'm in this Championship and I want to win it but, I'm also aware that we have to look after the team," Perez said to Sky Sports F1 in Montreal.

"Up to now, the team has been very sensible with everything they have done.

"In Barcelona, we disagreed," Perez continued. "We spoke after the race, and we agreed it straight away. You could see that change was already made for Monaco.

"That's why I'm super happy, I recently renewed for the team. Things are going in the right direction and my role to play is to try and go for the Championship."

At the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Perez was irked by letting Verstappen through early on and not getting the favour back. Then in the closing moments, with the Mexican leading the race, he was told not to hold up Verstappen.

The following weekend in Monaco, Perez won his first race of the season but the team's approach was criticised by Jos Verstappen, before Horner put that to one side.

"Dads and fathers are never totally objective," Horner said. "What wasn't apparent was all of the information that we have during a race. If Max had pitted, then he would have come out behind I think George