{"id":18231,"date":"2022-11-19T13:02:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-19T13:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/formula1news.co.uk\/?p=18231"},"modified":"2022-11-19T11:19:17","modified_gmt":"2022-11-19T11:19:17","slug":"max-verstappen-questioned-for-odd-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/formula1news.co.uk\/max-verstappen-questioned-for-odd-decision\/","title":{"rendered":"Max Verstappen questioned for \u2018odd decision\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sergio Perez is the ultimate teammate, with the recently nicknamed Mexican \u2018Minister of Defence\u2019 going above and beyond during his two years with Red Bull to help Max Verstappen to two drivers\u2019 championships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verstappen on the other hand seems unwilling to repay the favour, despite calling Perez a \u2018legend\u2019 and an \u2018animal\u2019 for his heroics in Abu Dhabi last year that were key to his victory over Lewis Hamilton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dutchman was repeatedly asked over the team radio to allow Perez to pass in on the final lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix, as the Mexican hunts for second place in the drivers\u2019 championship, which Verstappen won himself back in Suzuka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 25-year-old refused to swap positions with his teammate, reminding the team that they know his reasons for not helping Perez, which it is rumoured relate back to Monaco where Perez caused a suspicious red flag to secure pole position, at a circuit where track position is key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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READ: Max Verstappen\u2019s mother claims Sergio Perez cheated on his wife<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former F1 driver turned analyst Jolyon Palmer has agreed that Perez\u2019s actions in Monaco seemed \u2018fishy\u2019, but still remains confused by Verstappen\u2019s decision making in Sao Paulo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRed Bull did ask Max to give way to Checo, and they actually repeated that request over and over again as they realised it was going to be ignored,\u201d said Palmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRed Bull weren\u2019t in such a great position \u2013 sixth and seventh on a Sunday is peanuts for this year\u2019s drivers\u2019 and constructors\u2019 champions, yet for Perez the extra two points would have been worth a great deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVerstappen nonetheless ignored the orders and proceeded to take his third worst finish of the season. For a man who was won more races in 2022 than any driver in history over a single campaign, and has the championship sewn up, this seemed like an odd decision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aftermath of Verstappen\u2019s decision has caused a rift in the Red Bull camp, with Perez firing digs at the Dutchman and suggesting that the incident \u201cshows who he really is\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Toto Wolff opens up on George Russell regret https:\/\/t.co\/SUl4lEyATN<\/a><\/p>— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) November 17, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>