The relationship between Red Bull team-mates Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez 'seems to have seriously snapped' following the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
That's according to sections of the Dutch media, who have analysed Verstappen's unexpected refusal to give up a grid position in order to aid his colleague. Despite guaranteeing the Formula 1 crown would return to Milton Keynes at the end of this year, Sunday's fallout has cast a shadow over Red Bull heading into the final race of the season.
Team principal Christian Horner appeared to be among those surprised two-time champion Verstappen declined to give up sixth so that Perez—his partner since 2021—would have a better chance of finishing the year in second. Instead, the Mexican was forced to settle for seventh place and heads into Sunday's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix level on 290 points with Ferrari 's Charles Leclerc.
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Dutch broadcaster NOS referred to the situation in Sao Paulo as an "indoor fire " for Red Bull, while the resurgent Mercedes revelled in George Russell 's maiden F1 race win. De Telegraaf signalled this could mark the revival of the rivalry between the two manufacturers, particularly after Lewis Hamilton celebrated his third consecutive second-place finish.
However, the harshest assessment came from Algemeen Dagblad journalist Arjan Schouten, who wrote "something seems to have seriously snapped" between Perez and Verstappen. Up until recently, the relationship between the two has appeared nothing other than harmonious, but it appears that may no longer be the case.
Fans and pundits alike were incredulous as to why Verstappen—who tied up his second world championship in Japan, with four races remaining—was so precious about keeping sixth place ahead of his team-mate.
In an audio clip posted by the official F1 Twitter account, Red Bull engineers can be heard asking Verstappen to give up sixth to Perez during the closing laps in Brazil. An irritable Verstappen responded: "I told you already last summer. You guys don't ask that again to me, ok? Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I stand by it."
Team chief Horner wouldn't detail what was said behind closed doors but considered the matter dealt with following a team meeting after Sunday's race. "They have shaken hands and we are now focused on the next race," he said. "We work and we race as a team."
In order for Red Bull to clinch a one-two finish at the top of this year's standings, Perez must better Leclerc's finish in Abu Dhabi. As things stand, the former McLaren and Racing Point star is contracted with Red Bull until the end of 2024, while Verstappen's deal won't expire until the end of 2028.
