Even as the season concludes, the controversy from Brazil refuses to die down. Max Verstappen defied team orders to let his teammate Sergio Perez pass. While he drew criticism from fans and media alike, the latest to join the list is Jeremy Clarkson.

As the Brazilian GP progressed toward the latter stages, Red Bull strategists realized Sergio Perez could not pass Charles Leclerc. Max Verstappen, who was running with fresher tires, was allowed to pass his teammate. This was to help him overtake Fernando Alonso and then try to steal points away from the Monegasque. However, he was also told to give the position back to Checo in case he could not overtake Alonso.

Jeremy Clarkson has some harsh words for Max Verstappen

Not only did Max Verstappen fail to overtake Fernando Alonso but also refused to give the position back to Sergio Perez. Max’s race engineer promptly asked him on the team radio why he did not follow the team’s orders. Max angrily responded, “I told you already last time, guys. Don’t ask that again to me, okay? Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons, and I stand by it.”

In his latest column, Top Gear, famed Jeremy Clarkson, wrote, “Despite the controversy, we were all thrilled when he [Max Verstappen] won his first world championship. And even more thrilled when he won his second.”

“But then, during one brief radio message in the closing stages of last weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, everyone suddenly decided that actually he was a b***ard.”

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Max successfully defended his championship title with 4 races left in the season. Therefore, he was expected to do what it took to help his teammate secure the 2nd position in the drivers’ standings.

Max Verstappen gets Mika Hakkinen’s support

As Verstappen was getting bashed by all the stakeholders of the sport, Mika Hakkinen came to his support. The 2-time world champion refrained from making any judgment calls without knowing how the dynamics at Red Bull work.

Unibet quoted Hakkinen, saying, “The team always comes first and if you have an agreement about how you and your teammate work together, it is always best to keep to that. None of us know the precise terms of Max’s agreement with Red Bull, but clearly he is the number one driver and in return he has brought them two world titles.”

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As the season ended yesterday, Perez missed out on the runner-up position in the drivers’ standings. Do you think he would have secured the position had it not been for Max’s actions in Brazil?