Chaos in Red Bull Camp After Sergio Perez Is Left Disappointed by Max Verstappen After Brazil GP

Chaos in Red Bull Camp After Sergio Perez Is Left Disappointed by Max Verstappen After Brazil GP

Martin Moses
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:16 PM
  • Sergio 'Checo' Perez has expressed his disappointment with his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen after an incident at the Sao Paulo GP
  • Verstappen ignored a team order to allow Perez through in the final lap, to compete for the second position overall in the championship
  • Perez was visibly bitter, considering he has played an integral part in Verstappen's two F1 titles

Controversy and lack of team spirit has hit the Red Bull camp, after Max Verstappen deliberately refused to let his teammate Sergio Perez through.

The incident, which happened at the Brazilian Grand Prix, has left a majority of fans angry at Verstappen's decision.

Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Brazil GP, Charles Leclerc
Sergio Perez talks with his engineers in the garage before the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 13, 2022, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo by Mark Thompson.
Source: Getty Images

Perez is currently locked in a two-way battle with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc for position 2 in the F1 Championship standings.

Verstappen had already been declared this season's champion after attaining an unassailable lead at the Japanese Grand Prix in October.

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In Brazil, Verstappen ignored a direct order from his team to allow Perez to pass to challenge Fernando Alonso and Leclerc.

Verstappen wouldn't let Checo through

Verstappen mentioned over the team radio that he had his reasons for not letting his teammate pass, adding that he had already communicated them prior to the race.

The decision saw Perez drop valuable points as he finished in 7th place, giving him 6 points. His competitor Leclerc finished just outside the podium places and got 12 points.

The two are now locked on 290 points, with only one race to go next week in Abu Dhabi.

Speaking after the race, Perez expressed his frustration with Verstappen, saying the Belgian-Dutch driver had 'shown who he really is.

"I have no idea what his reasons are. Maybe you should ask him about it. I've nothing to say, really. After all, I have done for him, it is a bit disappointing to be honest. I have no idea. I am really surprised," as quoted by Sky Sports.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has since explained that the two have 'shaken hands.'

The Brazilian GP saw Mercedes duo George Russell and Lewis Hamilton take the first two positions, with the former winning his first-ever race.

Hamilton on hostile crown reception

Sports Brief had previously reported that a hostile crowd greeted Lewis Hamilton over the weekend at the Mexico Grand Prix, which left the legendary driver bemused.

Hamilton was in action for Mercedes and he started the day on P3, behind reigning champion Max Verstappen and his teammate George Russell.

The Briton climbed to P2 and almost gave fans a reminder of his battle with Verstappen of last season. However, the Red Bull driver extended his dominance to win the race.

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Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)
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