Former F1 team principal Eddie Jordan believes Red Bull made an "agreement to let Sergio Perez win" the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Jordan believes that Perez's Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen would have won the race "under normal circumstances", despite a driveshaft problem meaning he began the Grand Prix in 15th place.
Perez, meanwhile, started on pole and led for the majority of the race, before seeing off late competition from Verstappen after he made his way through the field. And despite the Dutchman voicing his frustration at finishing second, Jordan believes Perez winning was always the plan for Red Bull.
"I'm a bit concerned because, under normal circumstances, Max Verstappen would have won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix," Jordan told OLBG. "I think there was an agreement to let Sergio Perez win the race if he had pole and led the race the whole time.
"What would happen to the team if they didn't let Perez win? If I was Checo, I would not have let Verstappen pass. I think it was agreed that if Verstappen made it to second and Perez was still first, he would let him win the race.
"Was I surprised to hear Verstappen complain about a driveshaft? No. If you have 15 laps to go and there's a problem with the driveshaft, then it's going to break, and you heard the engineers say to Verstappen that the car was fine and under control, I think there was a message there.
"I'm probably trying to see behind the scenes, but I think Verstappen would have won the race if he was allowed to fight for it. I don't think Max Verstappen thinks like that but I think Red Bull do."
Jordan went on to explain that he did something similar when running his Jordan F1 team, instructing Ralf Schumacher not to overtake teammate Damon Hill at one point during the 1998 season.
"I had to tell Schumacher to not pass Hill even though he was the quicker driver, and Hill made it very clear that if Schumacher tried to pass he would fight to keep his position." he added.
"I remember thinking what is the point in that because they finished first and second, the team is the most important aspect and the team should not be taking sides with drivers. The Red Bulls have had a perfect start with both drivers finishing first and second in the first two races and they can both compete for the world championship."
