Verstappen refuses Red Bull order to help teammate Perez

• Sports

During last weekend’s Brazilian GP, Red Bull F1 racer Max Verstappen had refused to obey a team command that included an aid for his teammate Sergio Perez. In the matter of the fact, Perez had fallen behind after a late safety car restart, while he had been trying to close in Leclerc’s Ferrari.

Shortly afterwards, Verstappen caught and overtook Perez, while Red Bull were asking him to go further and snatch points from Alonso and Leclerc, who were at fifth and fourth respectively. It appears that Verstappen might allow Perez to overtake him, if he could not catch anyone of them, but despite finishing at sixth, Verstappen did not leave space for Perez.

Verstappen disobeys team order at Brazilian GP

After the finish, Red Bull race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase asked Verstappen why he had not left space for Perez. Verstappen answered over the radio, “I told you already last time.

Don't ask that again to me -- are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I stand by it”. However, after the conversation, Perez said, “Thank you for that, guys. Thank you”. Red Bull Chief Horner replied after that saying, “I'm sorry about that, Checo ..”.

In reply, Perez said, “It shows who he really is”. Verstappen’s decision has consequence for the race of second and third place, as after finishing at seventh, Perez lost a total of six points in Brazilian GP.

Perez and Leclerc are now tied at 290 points with only one race remaining in Abu Dhabi next weekend. Apart from that, adding he was a bit disappointed over the incident after what he has done for Verstappen throughout the season including leaving space at Spanish GP to let Verstappen through, Perez said, “After all I've done for him, it's a bit disappointing to be honest. I have no idea. I'm really surprised”.