Why Verstappen wore Perez's race boots in Baku practice
Verstappen adorned a fresh pair of bright yellow boots for FP1 in Azerbaijan
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix had already seen a late arrival after Valtteri Bottas had to complete his media requirements from an airport in Finland but something will arrive even later than the Mercedes driver.
Max Verstappen was forced to wear a pair of Sergio Perez's yellow race boots during first practice in Baku with his own footwear still in transit to the 'city of fire'. A plain blue pair [non-Puma, Verstappen's brand] was worn in FP2.
Asked if there was an impact to borrowing a spare pair of boots, Verstappen said: "It didn't affect things, of course. The size wasn't entirely correct but it was fine."
Red Bull confirmed the Dutchman's boots were on their way to the circuit and should arrive before final practice, adding the potential issues faced were decreased due to the 23-year-old and Perez being the same size.
The team also explained that the number of spares taken to a race weekend meant there would be no adverse effect to Perez's supply of boots across the next two days.
There were clearly no signs of issues as Verstappen topped first practice before Perez headed a one-two in the afternoon session as Red Bull aim to build on its championship lead over a struggling Mercedes team.
Related
More F1 news
Latest F1 news
Recommended by the editors
Barcelona Grand Prix
F1 2026 Barcelona Grand Prix starting grid with penalties applied
Red Bull
Red Bull meet with FIA president over controversial F1 ruling
Barcelona Grand Prix
F1 Odds: Barcelona Grand Prix favourites as Lewis Hamilton shocks Antonelli
Barcelona Grand Prix
F1 Race Today: Barcelona Grand Prix 2026 start time, schedule, TV channel and FREE live stream
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page