The 2o21 Abu Dhabi witnessed the Mexican Minister of Defense, Sergio Perez, fight like a lion against Lewis Hamilton to ensure that Max Verstappen stays in the title fight. The Red Bull duo has time and again stood up for each other in crunch moments. However, that relationship took an ugly turn during an action-packed Brazilian GP on Sunday.
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After an intense sprint race, Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen found themselves on the second row behind George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. An early collision for Max meant he was out of contention to win the race. However, Checo found himself in a promising situation behind race leader George Russell.
The fight for P2 in the drivers’ championship is on between Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc. Therefore, Checo needed to finish ahead of Leclerc’s Ferrari. Unfortunately, he failed to do so after an untimely Safety Car exposed him to drivers on fresher rubber.
Max had the opportunity to minimize his teammate’s damage by letting him through on the last lap. However, he decided to go against team orders and finish ahead of his teammate.
On being asked to do so, the Dutch Lion bluntly replied, “I told you already last summer, guys, don’t ask that again to me. Okay? Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons, and I stand by it.”
This means both Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc have 290 points before the final showdown in Abu Dhabi. Leclerc is ahead of Checo in the championship due to more wins in the season.
Monaco GP shunt is rumored to be the reason behind Max Verstappen not letting Sergio Perez through
Max Verstappen has hinted at Sergio Perez’s Monaco GP crash being the reason behind his decision. It’s speculated that Checo crashed deliberately back then to take away the opportunity from Max to grab pole. Conspiracy theories ignite as fans take to Twitter to express their opinion.
This Max-Checo thing is definitely about Monaco Rachel Brookes just flat out asked Max if it was about Monaco and he didn’t deny it and said “decide for yourself” with a smile Pretty obvious
🗣 | Is it anything to do with Monaco? Max: “You can decide, I’m not gonna say” This it not looking good💀
"It is correct what @TomCoronel just said at ViaPlay. Perez deliberately crashed in qualifying in Monaco and later admitted it to Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. Max Verstappen has not forgotten that." @ErikvHaren
Perez deliberately crashed in qualifying in Monaco and later admitted it to Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. Max Verstappen has not forgotten that by referring to it on his team radio. (Per @ErikvHaren)
Who knew this would turn out to be such a dramatic moment 👀
Holding a grudge 6 months ago that is completely irrelevant in the championship fight is crazy 💀
Who knew this would turn out to be such a dramatic moment 👀
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Max-Checo bromance has taken an ugly turn. It’ll be interesting to see how Christian Horner and Red Bull react if a situation like this arises in the season finale in Abu Dhabi.