After the race Christine was asked why Max was constantly told of the gap to Perez but Perez wasn't told of the gap to Max. Christine said Perez is told their lap times every lap, he can easily work it out.
So Max is told the gap but Perez has to work it out. There is no number one driver though.
That’s the thing about conspiracy theories though - they can be as abstract as required and any evidence to the contrary is simply ignored like it doesn’t exist. Once a narrative is established it will not be eroded.
There is no doubt that any team with a reigning world champion will have them as lead driver by default. That isn’t news. The real question is what actual effect that has to the detriment of the number two. With the teams dominance this season they know the sponsors want headlines and it is a no brainier that Perez be encouraged helped or contrived to a stronger position. All the evidence was there yesterday- but Max just drove too well in mid-race.