Verstappen: Important we make sure Perez stays ahead of Leclerc

Verstappen has already secured his second consecutive Driver's Crown at the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix, while Red Bull sealed the Constructors' in Austin, but for them to achieve the perfect result in 2022, they need to ensure Sergio Perez finishes a runner up behind his teammate.

Previewing this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix; Verstappen said: "It's always nice to be back in Brazil, it's beautiful here and so rich in culture. Interlagos is a short track and with all the elevation changes and cambered corners, it's a really cool track to drive.

There's obviously a lot of history at the track too, which I love," he added. "The Sprint race set up this weekend means we only have a short practice window, so that always makes it a slightly more difficult, ensuring that the car is perfect and that we set up the car well with limited time.

Perez currently sits second in the Drivers' Championship, five points ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, and Verstappen revealed the target is to keep him there.

"As a Team we want to finish first and second in the Championship so it's important that we make sure Checo stays ahead of Charles," the Dutchman insisted.

Perez revealed he is not slowing down despite helping his team secure the Constructors' Title this year, and will be chasing the runner up position for himself.

"I am going into the final two races of the season still feeling like I have everything to win," he said. "We might be Constructors' champions but as a Team, and for me personally, it is hugely important to secure a one-two in the Drivers' Championship.

"For that I need to keep fighting and stay driven to achieve the best possible result in every race, including this weekend's Sprint," the Mexican added. "The Sprint is a chance to score vital points, so it is important we get a good practice session in on Friday morning and qualify well.

"If we put everything together this weekend, we are the Team to beat and we are still so driven maintain the incredible form we have going this season," Perez concluded.

Perez, over his 12 seasons in F1 has fourth place as his best result in terms of Drivers' Standings, something he achieved in 2020with Racing Point (Now Aston Martin) and 2021 on his first season as a Red Bull driver.