Verstappen Fulfills Promise, Gifts Helmet to Perez

Max Verstappen has given Sergio Perez a race helmet, fulfilling a promise made to his former Red Bull teammate. The gift, which featured a note reading "Thanks for being a great team-mate and friend," concludes their highly scrutinized partnership. Perez, who is taking a sabbatical in 2025, is now set to return to the grid with Cadillac in 2026.

Why it matters:

The public exchange counters the narrative of a fractured relationship between the two, which was often amplified by media scrutiny and their on-track performance disparity. It provides a sense of closure to their partnership, highlighting personal respect amidst professional rivalry, and sets a positive tone as Perez looks toward his future with Cadillac.

The details:

• The Promise: Verstappen publicly stated last year that he still owed Perez a helmet as a reciprocal gift, emphasizing their strong personal bond despite media narratives.
• A Tense Partnership: The duo's time at Red Bull was marked by intense scrutiny, especially after Perez's 2024 slump contrasted sharply with Verstappen's dominant form, leading to Perez's replacement by Liam Lawson.
• Perez's Next Chapter: The Mexican driver will sit out the 2025 season before joining the new Cadillac team for its F1 debut in 2026, a move he says is motivated by a desire to "finish his career on a high" and prove his capabilities in the right environment.

What's next:

Verstappen remains at the forefront of Red Bull's title defense, while Perez's journey takes a different trajectory. After a year away from the grid, all eyes will be on his 2026 comeback with Cadillac, where he aims to leverage his experience to help establish the new American team and silence his recent critics.