Why didn’t Verstappen give the position to Perez? Max’s argumentative radio team and sparks at Red Bull

Verstappen’s radio team on the last lap

Squad: “Max, let Checo pass please”

*no reply*

Squad: “Max, what’s up”

Verstappen: “I already told you last summer. Don’t ask me again. I have my reasons and I stand still“

This is the conversation that made the team and insiders turn up their noses during the last lap. Verstappen decided not to play as a team, not because he believed he could overtake Alonso in the final, but claiming some events from the first part of the season, when the two drivers from the Milton Keynes house were treated approximately equally, at least as long as they were both in contention for the World Cup. If before the relationship between the reigning world champion and the 32-year-old Mexican already appeared icy, it is unequivocal that Max’s gesture has even cracked the tacit coexistence in the pits.

Why Verstappen did not give up his position: the possible background

“The ‘swap’ with Perez? We had already discussed everything before coming here. I communicated my reasons. Of course I understand Checo’s disappointment, but they also need to understand why I didn’t“. But what are these reasons behind Verstappen’s choice to the point of opposing the team? In the hours following the race, an indiscretion from former driver Tom Coronel quickly went around the paddock, also supported by Sky Sport: according to the 50-year-old Dutch the event that sparked the fuse between the two Red Bull teammates dates back at the Monaco GP, when Perez went into the barriers causing the red flag that ended qualifying early, preventing Max from making the final attempt. Later the Mexican would admit to the upper floors, to Helmut Marko and Christian Horner, that he had committed the accident voluntarily. It should be remembered that in the end Checo won that Grand Prix and thanks to that triumph he obtained the renewal of his contract. An episode that the number 1 on the track has not forgotten and may have wanted to claim after almost six months.

Perez’s reaction: “He appeared for what he is”

Naturally, the lack of position rendered by his teammate sent Sergio Perez into a rage, who, as already anticipated, saw all the advantage accumulated over Leclerc canceled. Already in the sprint race the opportunity had arisen for an exchange of positions, but not having respected the explicit hierarchy orders prevented the Mexican driver from remaining silent.

First the jab with the team, then, once you get to parc fermé, Perez’s outburst in the mixed area in front of journalists: “I don’t understand why Verstappen didn’t leave my seat after everything I’ve done for him, if he has two world titles it’s thanks to me!”.

A Red Bull that will now have to try to reconcile spirits inside the garage as soon as possible, given that in a week they will be back on track for the last round of the season. Will the team be able to impose itself on the world champion’s ego?