Lap 67 in the Brazilian Grand Prix. After a safety car phase, world champion Max Verstappen receives instructions over the radio to overtake teammate Sergio Perez (who no longer has fresh tires available) and make up positions, and possibly to displace Charles Leclerc by one position , who is battling for second place with Perez in the drivers’ standings. Verstappen overtakes Perez with four laps to go.
The Dutchman fails to advance to Leclerc. That’s why on lap 71, the last lap of the race, his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase gave the order: “Max, please let Checo (Sergio, note) pass.” But Verstappen is not slowing down. Meanwhile, Hugh Bird, Sergio Perez’s engineer, radios his driver: “Okay, Max will let you pass.”
Verstappen crosses the finish line ahead of Perez. When Lambiase asked what happened, Verstappen replies: “I told you last time, don’t ask me again, okay? Is that clear? I gave my reasons and I stand by them.” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner hops on the radio with Perez and apologizes: “Sorry, Checho!” Hugh Bird adds: “We will then discuss everything.” But the Mexican’s answer pretty much says it all: “Yes, that shows who he really is.”
Red Bull Racing boss Helmut Marko and team boss Horner asked the two pilots to talk after the race. What was discussed behind closed doors could not be elicited from either of them. “Max will do everything to ensure that Sergio takes second place in the drivers’ standings,” said Marko when asked by ORF. He wasn’t ready for any more questions. Team boss Horner also answered evasively: “We look ahead, not behind.”
Source: Nachrichten
