Max Verstappen says he and his Red Bull team need to be “open and communicate better” after refusing to swap seats with Sergio Perez in Sao Paulo, and also condemns “disgusting” comments and online abuse after incident.

Max Verstappen says he and his Red Bull team need to be “open and communicate better” after refusing to swap seats with Sergio Perez in Sao Paulo, and also condemns “disgusting” comments and online abuse after incident. Max Verstappen hit out at the media in a heated Abu Dhabi GP press conference as the two-time Formula 1 world champion defended – but still refused to fully explain – his indifference to Red Bull’s team orders. Sergio Perez, in Brazil. At last Sunday’s Sao Paulo GP, Verstappen refused to give way to Perez, who is chasing second place in a drivers’ championship dominated by the Dutchman, despite instructions from Red Bull, later citing an incident between the pair earlier in the season. his reason for doing so. It is understood to be related to Perez’s crash in qualifying for the Monaco GP in May – and although Verstappen has yet to confirm this – on Thursday ahead of the final race of the 2022 season he said the row was the result of miscommunication and hit his review. Verstappen called the media presentation “disgusting” and claimed his family had also been “attacked” with “unacceptable” comments. Verstappen, whose press conference followed a statement from Red Bull admitting their mistakes and also condemning the abuse, said of the incident: “I already explained it [my feelings] in Mexico and the team understood and agreed. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater reports team-mates Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have resolved their dispute over team orders in Brazil
Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater reports team-mates Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have resolved their dispute over team orders in Brazil “We went to Brazil and I just thought we were going to race, try to get the best possible result. We had a bit of miscommunication on Saturday and Sunday, I hadn’t been told anything about a possible swap. “It was only in the last round that it was said on the radio and they should have known my answer already from what I said last week. After that match we had a good talk, put everything on the table and everything. it has been solved. “In hindsight, we should have had this conversation earlier, because I’ve never been a bad teammate with anyone. “I’ve always been very helpful and the team knows that. I’ve always put the team first because at the end of the day, it’s a team effort. What we learned is that we have to be more open and just have them communicate with each other.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Max Verstappen refuses to let team-mate Sergio Perez pass and is furious with Red Bull on team radio
Max Verstappen refuses to let team-mate Sergio Perez pass and is furious with Red Bull on team radio Verstappen then added: “After that race, I looked really bad in the media, but they also didn’t have the clear picture… but to let me down straight away is pretty ridiculous to be honest. Because they don’t know how I work inside in the team and what the team values ​​about me, so all the stuff I’ve read is pretty disgusting. “And even more than that they started attacking my family, threatening my sister, my mom, my girlfriend, my dad and for me that’s too far, and you don’t have the evidence of what’s going on. For me, this has to stop. “If you have a problem with me, that’s fine, but don’t go after my family because that’s just unacceptable. “We’re moving on. Honestly, I have a great relationship with the Czech. But I just don’t understand when people don’t have the whole picture, to immediately start attacking me like that. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Karun Chandhok gives his verdict on the aftermath of Max Verstappen’s refusal to let Sergio Perez pass in Sao Paulo
Karun Chandhok gives his verdict on the aftermath of Max Verstappen’s refusal to let Sergio Perez pass in Sao Paulo “I hope one day they really understand what was going on because it’s just unacceptable behavior from so many people. Also, people in this mantra, not just fans, a lot of people what they write about me is just ridiculous.” Asked why he does not want to set the record straight if he is upset about what has been written in the media, Verstappen replied: “We keep it between the team and me. “I’m a bit fed up with all this bull**** going around all the time. At the end of the day, I haven’t done anything wrong, people just misunderstood what was going on.”

Red Bull admits Brazil’s mistakes and condemns abuses

Moments before Verstappen spoke to the media, Red Bull issued a statement defending Verstappen. “As a team we made some mistakes in Brazil,” he wrote. “We had not imagined the situation that unfolded in the last lap and we had not agreed a strategy for such a scenario before the race. “Unfortunately, Max was only informed at the last corner of the request to leave his position without all the necessary information being passed on. This put Max, who has always been an open and fair team player, into a compromising situation with minimal reaction time which was not our intention. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Sergio Perez says he’s ‘cool’ with Red Bull’s view on Max Verstappen not letting him swap seats in Brazil and is ready to move forward as a team
Sergio Perez says he’s ‘cool’ with Red Bull’s view on Max Verstappen not letting him swap seats in Brazil and is ready to move forward as a team “After the race, Max spoke openly and honestly, allowing the two drivers to resolve any outstanding issues or concerns. The team accepted Max’s reasoning, the discussion was a personal matter that will remain private between the team and no further action will be taken comment.” He continued: “The events that followed in terms of social media are completely unacceptable. The abusive online behavior towards Max, Checo, the team and their families is shocking and saddening and unfortunately something we as a sport have to address with depressing regularity. “There is no place for this in racing or in society as a whole and we have to do and be better. At the end of the day this is a sport, we are here to compete. Threats to life, hate messages, vitriol towards the wider family The members are deplorable. We value inclusion and want a safe space for everyone to work and enjoy our sport. The abuse must stop.”

Perez: We’re ready to move on

Perez, meanwhile, confirmed he had cleared the air with Verstappen. “We have discussed everything internally,” he told Sky Sports. “There has been a lot of speculation on social media, a lot of hate, which is not nice to see. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Sergio Perez loses the rear on his flying lap and slides into the wall, sealing pole position for Charles Leclerc, while Carlos Sainz crashes into the parked Red Bull.
Sergio Perez loses the rear on his flying lap and slides into the wall, sealing pole position for Charles Leclerc, while Carlos Sainz crashes into the parked Red Bull. “We’re ready to move forward as a team. What happened there, we talked about it and we’re ready to move forward as a team.” He also denied crashing in Monaco on purpose, which is believed to be the source of Verstappen’s anger. “It’s clear what happened,” he said. “I just had a bad lap and chasing a lap time in Monaco everyone can make mistakes, and not just in Monaco, at any other circuit.” Watch the final race of the 2022 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Sunday’s match is live at 1pm, with extended coverage from 11.30am.