MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing and Sergio Perez of Mexico and Red Bull Racing talk on stage during the Red Bull Racing RB18 launch at Red Bull Racing Factory on January 26, 2022 in Milton Keynes, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
Here’s everything that you need to know about Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez’s feud at the Brazilian GP
The Brazilian Grand Prix had plenty of drama to offer both on and off the track. Red Bull duo Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez got into an ugly feud after Verstappen disobeyed team orders and refused to let Perez pass him. Red Bull have clinched both the drivers’ and Constructors’ championship title this season, but this incident shows that not everything is fine within the team.
With only a handful of laps left to go at the Brazilian GP, Verstappen was allowed to overtake Perez to overtake Fernando Alonso and Leclerc ahead, to take points away from the Ferrari driver. He was also categorically told that if on the final lap he had made no progress, he was to give the original position back to Perez so that the Mexican could get more points. However, Verstappen blatantly refused team orders.
Verstappen’s engineer said “Max, let Checo through please” and then asked after the race had ended “Max, what happened?””I told you already last time, you guys don’t ask that again to me, OK?” an angry Verstappen responded. “Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I stand by it”, the reigning World Champion added.
Sergio Perez was evidently frustrated at how things turned out. “Thank you for that guys, thank you. It shows who he really is”, Perez said sarcastically after the race.
Perez and Leclerc are tied on 290 points ahead of the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi. It promises to be a thriller of a race with both drivers expected to go all out for the second spot. Verstappen has already sealed the drivers’ championship title and now it’s all about who takes the second spot.
Red Bull has also sealed the Constructors’ championship title and is miles ahead of the chasing pack with 719 points. Ferrari is significantly behind in second place with 524 points. Mercedes are further behind – they occupy third place, having earned 505 points.
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