Max Verstappen refuses Red Bull order to help Sergio Perez

Newly-crowned champion Max Verstappen refused a Red Bull squad bid astatine the Brazilian Grand Prix to assistance teammate Sergio Perez successful his combat for 2nd successful the rubric race.

Perez dropped down the bid aft a precocious information car restart, with nearest title rival Charles Leclerc 1 of the cars to get by.

Verstappen soon caught and passed Perez, with Red Bull encouraging him to spell and snatch points distant from Fernando Alonso successful 5th and Leclerc successful fourth.

There appeared to beryllium an knowing Verstappen would fto Perez backmost done if helium could not drawback either operator -- contempt inactive finishing sixth, Verstappen did not fto Perez backmost past.

At the finish, Verstappen's contention technologist Gianpiero Lambiase asked him: "Max, what happened?"

Verstappen replied implicit radio: "I told you already past time. Don't inquire that again to maine -- are we wide astir that? I gave my reasons and I basal by it".

On his ain vigor channel, Perez said: "Thank you for that, guys. Thank you."

Team brag Christian Horner past spoke, saying: "I'm atrocious astir that, Checo..."

To that, Perez replied: "It shows who helium truly is."

Verstappen's determination outgo Perez 2 points, meaning helium mislaid a full of six to Leclerc. The brace are present tied connected points with 1 circular remaining successful Abu Dhabi adjacent weekend.

Perez obeyed a squad bid astatine the Spanish Grand Prix successful May to fto Verstappen done to triumph the race, thing helium referenced that aft the lawsuit successful Brazil.

"After each I've done for him, it's a spot disappointing to beryllium honest," Perez said. "I person nary idea. I'm truly surprised."

Verstappen and his manager Raymond Vermeulen were seen talking to Christian Horner and Lambiase aft the race.

The two-time satellite champion did not elaborate what was discussed but felt similar helium had justifiable crushed for refusing the team.

"I person my reasons for that," Verstappen said. "We conscionable discussed that, and I deliberation it was amended that we yet sat unneurotic and spoke astir it, and conscionable moved guardant from here.

"For sure, if we spell to Abu Dhabi and helium needs the points, due to the fact that they're tied, it's not the extremity of the world, it's each astir who finishes up anyway. If helium needs the help, I'll beryllium there.

"But it's bully that we talked astir it present and fundamentally cleared everything that was determination wherefore I didn't bash it."

The incidental volition enactment Red Bull successful an uncomfortable presumption betwixt keeping its superstar operator blessed and managing the fallout with Perez, who signed a two-year declaration hold aft winning the Monaco Grand Prix this year.