F1 fans outraged after Red Bull seemingly savage Sergio Perez with brutal nickname

Verstappen talking to Perez during the Belgian GP weekend — Photo: © LAT Images

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F1 fans outraged after Red Bull seemingly savage Perez with brutal nickname

The F1 champions raised some eyebrows with their latest social media post

Matthew Hobkinson Lead Editor

F1 Editor & Journalist

Monday 18 December 2023 19:57

Formula 1 fans were left scratching their heads after a recent Red Bull social media post labelled three-time champion Max Verstappen as a lion, yet dubbed Sergio Perez as just a 'friendly dog' instead.

The 2023 season was a tumultuous one for Perez, who despite winning two of the opening four races, would fail to stand on the top step again for the rest of the year.

Aside from a Carlos Sainz victory in Singapore, Verstappen would win every other race – finishing with an incredible record of 19 wins out of a possible 22.

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There have often been suggestions that Red Bull have not always been enthralled with Perez as Verstappen's team-mate, with some even alluding to the fact that the Mexican's watertight 2024 drive is under threat.

Sergio Perez claimed victory twice for Red Bull in 2023

Max Verstappen would finish the season with an incredible 19 wins out of 22 races

Perez insulted by Red Bull?

And for those still with suspicions that Red Bull favour Verstappen to Perez, this was only heightened in their latest social media exploit.

The official account of the F1 team posted a picture of Verstappen and Perez simply with the caption: "The lion and the friendly dog" with a wink emoji afterwards.

Verstappen is of course strongly associated with a lion, yet many were left baffled at Perez's likening to a dog, something that could come across as derogatory.

However, there was no malice whatsoever behind the post, with the team cheekily referring to a recent answer from Perez himself when asked what animal he thinks he would be most closely associated with.

Yet this did not stop fans taking to social media to share their shock at what looked to be Red Bull seemingly labelling Perez as a dog.

The lion and the friendly dog 😉 pic.twitter.com/3xwQYmNR0q
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) December 17, 2023

That’s slightly insulting don’t you think?
— mikesra1 (@mikesra1) December 17, 2023

Calling Perez a friendly dog is an insult
— Elias (@elias_ochako) December 17, 2023

Perez is being demoted to friendly dog 😂
— DANNYonPC (@DANNYonPC) December 17, 2023

Calling someone a dog doesn't feel like a compliment to me 😅
— Shhhh (@Jxxxxx024) December 17, 2023

Friendly dog 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 nothing says valued team member like being called a friendly dog
— Daz #44 (@DazTwo3) December 17, 2023

The way my people who doesn’t know the context were so ready to defend checo 🫶🏻
— leslie’11 1 (@sunnygirlf1) December 17, 2023

Written by

Matthew Hobkinson - Lead Editor

After four years working for a Lloyd's of London insurance syndicate, lockdown gave Matt the chance to chase a career in sports journalism - he hasn't looked back. Matt has found a home here at GPFans where he can showcase the weird and wonderful world of F1 to the millions of fans around the world who are just as passionate as he is about the best sport in the world.

View full biography

Red Bull Max Verstappen Sergio Perez Carlos Sainz