With his superior driving prowess, Max Verstappen earned fans’ and media’s praise throughout the season. However, it all came crashing down on Sunday when he did not let Sergio Perez pass to stay 2nd in the drivers’ standings. The current champion came under heavy fire from international media following Sunday’s race.

Sergio Perez played an ultimate teammate’s role at the Abu Dhabi GP last year. While he was ahead of his teammate in the race, he kept backing championship contender Lewis Hamilton until Verstappen arrived at the scene. After that, Perez gave his teammate a much-needed slipstream and let him pass smoothly to fight his own battle. Had it not been for Checo, Verstappen might have not won his first championship.

Max Verstappen invites international media’s fury after the Brazilian GP

In the latter stage of the 2022 Brazilian GP, when Red Bull strategists realized Sergio Perez could not pass Charles Leclerc, they asked Perez to let Verstappen pass. The idea was for Max to overtake Fernando Alonso ahead of him and then fight Charles Leclerc to steal as many points from him as possible.

This was to make sure Perez stays ahead of Leclerc in the drivers’ standings. However, when Max could not pose much threat to Alonso, they ordered Verstappen to let Checo through so he could have a few extra points. But the Dutchman defied the team’s orders.

Reacting to the incident, the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote, “It was irrelevant for the world championship, but it was a deliberate choice by Verstappen, based on old rust between the two that came about in France during qualifying.” [Translated using Google]

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Corriere dello Sport also had some harsh words for Red Bull’s golden boy. “It’s selfish and self-centered. Verstappen would sooner amputate his little finger than leave Pérez behind.”

The Spanish AS too was critical of Verstappen. They reported, “Red Bull asked him to give up the position to Pérez to defend second place in the championship, but Mad Max seemed deaf.” 

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Germany’s ARD wrote, “Pérez is Verstappen’s reliable assistant. In Brazil, however, the Formula 1 world champion refused to give his support. But why?”

Max Verstappen’s team radio response following the chequered flag

Verstappen was repeatedly told to give the place back to Perez by his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase. When he did not do it, he was promptly asked the reason for defying the team’s orders on the radio.

Verstappen replied, “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.”

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While Max hasn’t confirmed the reason, many believe it was the incident at Monaco this year that triggered the response. Checo during the Q3 at Monaco crashed into the barriers and got a spot ahead of his teammate on the starting grid, i.e. P3. As the session was red-flagged, Max could not have a go at a flying lap. Many think Verstappen believes Perez crashed on purpose and this was his revenge.

But what is your take on this? Was it fair for Max to not give the position to Checo?