MAX VERSTAPPEN has defended Red Bull against "hypocritical" rivals who have criticised his team over the cost cap scandal.
Last week the FIA found Red Bull were guilty of breaching their budget cap for 2021.
Verstappen and Red Bull claimed the F1 championship in part thanks to that additional funding, which has sparked a backlash within the sport.
Sir Lewis Hamilton was one of several vocal critics with the Mercedes star calling for greater transparency.
The Brit fears F1 could lose its integrity if Red Bull are not sufficiently punished but Verstappen believes the criticism is partly born out of jealousy.
He told Sky Italia: "I think it’s mainly because we’re doing well.
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"They try to slow us down in any way possible. At the end of the day that’s how Formula 1 works.
"Everyone is a bit hypocritical but I’m fine with that. We just have to focus on our job.
"Nothing has been confirmed yet but as a team we know what we have to deal with and we are very clear with what we think is correct."
Sergio Perez echoed his team-mate's belief that rivals are just trying to hold Red Bull back, but he is confident the facts will tell the true story.
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He added: "At the end of the day, there are always teams that want to take performance out of you, especially when you are winning.
"It’s part of the sport, and this has been the case forever. I just think it’s a normal situation. At the end of the day, facts will come out and people will see and understand the situation."
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