Lewis Hamilton admits F1 rival Sergio Perez in ‘difficult environment’ with Red Bull ‘not helping him at all’

LEWIS HAMILTON says he feels Sergio Perez has been put in a “difficult environment” because he does not have the full backing of everyone in his team.

Hamilton was quizzed by Fox Sports ahead of this weekend’s Mexico Grand Prix with pressure forming on Red Bull‘s Mexican driver.

ReutersSergio Perez has endured a difficult season at Red Bull[/caption]

APLewis Hamilton believes the Red Bull driver has not had the full backing of his team[/caption]

Perez was recently criticised by Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko, who apologised for his comments towards him.

Perez, 33, is second in the drivers’ championship but faces uncertainties about his future even though the team are adamant he IS staying for next season.

Hamilton has now waded in and said: “I think that his team is not helping him at all.

“I know that Red Bull is made up of many members, but there are people who affect him psychologically and do not support him.

“If I heard such negative things about myself every weekend it would be very difficult.

“So he is in a very complicated environment for him, but I think he knows how to deal with it.

“I haven’t experienced exactly something like what Sergio is going through, but as a driver I understand the psychological and mental pressures.

“It is something very heavy that falls on you and it is very difficult to explain it in words.

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“I think he has great support around him, he is taking care of himself very well.

“I was very excited for him at the beginning of the season, because he was driving so well.

“I even think that at some point he led the drivers’ championship and I thought ‘we are finally seeing the best of Checo’, but it is a very long year and a very long season.

“This is a very demanding sport, but what I can highlight most about Perez is that he always recovers, gets up and keeps trying.

“Something I can assure you is that Mexico is going to show itself this weekend.

“When I was at Silverstone I was very motivated and it will surely be something that will happen to him.”

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen says he has employed bodyguards this week to help him navigate a “really, really busy” paddock at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Hamilton has a similar figure who helps him navigate the crowds at each GP.

When asked about it in Mexico, Verstappen, 25, said: “I mean, why not?

“I have a bit more security here. But there are always a few countries around the world where it’s very busy, also here in the paddock.

“For example, last year, it was really, really busy to get from your hospitality to the garage.

“And it just helps also to make it a little bit smoother on track, off track, travel from your hotel, and stuff like that. [But] I feel very safe.”