Formula 1 has come to the business end of the 2022 season. The last race of the season saw Max Verstappen pick his 15th win of the year. Moreover, Charles Leclerc defended his place over Sergio Perez to keep his P2 at the Yas Marina Circuit race.

However, as the season has got over, Verstappen recently opened up about some tactics used by his team. When asked if there was any call to fall back and stop Leclerc to help Perez for the position, he told the media, “No, there was not, but also that is quite a tricky call to make.”

The Dutchman further asked, “You also don’t want to end up… of course, you can possibly block but is that fair racing?”

Surprisingly, the Checo helped the Dutchman in a very similar manner in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix fighting against Lewis Hamilton to help him get his first-ever title.

Despite Lewis Hamilton’s “Ugly” Criticism, Reigning Champ Max Verstappen Opts To Stick To His Earned Privilege: “I Will Use…”

As Verstappen sped past for the win, Perez finished 1.3 seconds behind Leclerc to miss out on the P2 in the driver’s championship. If the former Racing Point driver could have pulled that off, that would have been the first-ever 1-2 finish by the Austrian team in the WDC.

Max Verstappen earlier denied a point boost to Sergio Perez

Max Verstappen earlier denied Sergio Perez the opportunity to maximize his points. The incident came in Brazil when the Dutchman decided not to pay heed to the team call before he crossed the finish line.

Every point counted when Perez was chasing Leclerc for the P2 in the standings. Nearing the end of the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace race, the Monegasque was in a better position as compared to the Mexican. He was in P4 while Perez was in P7.

Trending

Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat

April 24, 2024 11:15 AM EDT

Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”

April 17, 2024 11:14 AM EDT

F1 Rumor: Christian Horner and Wife Geri to Publicly Reveal All Details on Leaked Chat Scandal

April 22, 2024 04:10 PM EDT

Max Verstappen Sabotaged Daniel Ricciardo’s Only Chance of Getting the Red Bull Seat for 2025

April 21, 2024 11:59 AM EDT

Miami GP 2024: Max Verstappen Embraces the American Spirit With Helmet Design

April 23, 2024 06:15 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Red Bull initially risked gambling with Verstappen as they sent him to fight Alonso. However, when they saw it was too late, they asked the Dutchman to fall back and let his teammate through.

Verstappen, denying the orders, said he had reasons not to let Checo through. This cost Perez 2 points in his bid for P2.

WATCH THIS STORY: Max Verstappen and Christian Horner slam Mercedes for trying to ‘take shine off’ F1 title win after Lewis Hamilton drama

All of this resulted in huge outrage against Max Verstappen on social media. Fans from all over the world didn’t take this lightly, as they reminded Verstappen of Perez’s contribution at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Was it right for Max to not give the position to his teammate given that he had already won the WDC?