Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and Sergio Pérez have confirmed that the shocking incident that unfolded at the Brazilian Grand Prix has been dealt with, resulting in Pérez and Max Verstappen “shaking hands”.
Fans watched the final lap of the race at Interlagos in disbelief, after Verstappen openly, and blatantly defied team orders, resulting in Pérez stating that the double World Champion had shown “who he really is”.
The incident on Sunday arose in the closing stages of the Grand Prix, where Pérez allowed Verstappen to overtake, with the Dutchman having been given a chance to pass Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc ahead.
However, Verstappen was told that if he failed to pass either driver, then he’d need to return the position to Checo.
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As the final lap drew to a close, Verstappen was reminded multiple times to let his team-mate past, a message that was met by a deafening silence.
Verstappen crossed the finish line ahead of Pérez, before stating to the team that he had his “reasons” for not giving the place back, and that he doesn’t want to ever be asked to give a place up again.
His response was massively controversial, given how often Pérez has been the ‘perfect’ team-mate to the Dutchman.
It showed a real sign, though, of who calls the shot at Red Bull, with it certainly not being Pérez.
The result meant that Pérez lost out on the two additional points he would’ve claimed for finishing sixth, rather than seventh.
It means that he goes into the season finale in Abu Dhabi level on points with Leclerc, rather than two ahead.
Should Pérez finish third in the Drivers’ Championship by a sole point, then it’s easy to understand where the finger will be pointed.
Despite the public clash, though, Pérez revealed after the race on social media that the issue has been “discussed” and that it is now “behind” the Austrian side.
“What a day yesterday,” Perez posted on social media.
“A podium for sure but lack of pace was complicated by the SC (Safety Car). Now let’s focus on Abu Dhabi.
“With Max and the team, everything was discussed yesterday and will be kept internally, this is behind us, and we will continue to work as the great team we have been so far.”
Horner added after the race that the team are already “focused” on the finale, where Verstappen is onboard in helping Checo fight Leclerc for second in the standings to seal a one-two for the side, something they’ve never achieved.
“The drivers have discussed it, they’ve shaken hands and we are absolutely focused on that next race,” Horner told Sky Sports F1.
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“We work as a team, we race as a team and our objective and priority is to see if we can get Checo to finish runner-up in the championship.
“It’s something we’ve never achieved as a team before and Max has given his commitment as well. We’ll be doing the best we can in Abu Dhabi to achieve that. So it’s a straight fight between Checo and Charles, and if Max can help in any way he will do.
“Checo has done a phenomenal job all year and he deserves that second place. And I think that as a team, we will do our very best to support that to achieve that in Abu Dhabi.”