Max Verstappen fired F1 engineers after Sergio Perez incident at Red Bull
Max Verstappen has been warned 'nobody will want to work' for him if he repeats the behavior that caused an explosive fallout with Sergio Perez at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The world champion defied team orders in the final stages and refused to let the Mexican pass him to take sixth place, which would have seen his partner Red Bull enter the final race in Abu Dhabi in second position in the driver standings.
After asking "what happened?" on team radio, Verstappen replied: "I already told you last summer, you don't ask me that again. Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I'm sorry. hold on."
Verstappen's grudge is believed to date back to qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, where he was denied a final race in Q3 after Perez took his career off the track, prompting a red flag. The 25-year-old described the late red flag as 'irritating' and even insinuated foul play by his partner, who duly started ahead of him on the grid the following day.
Many viewed Verstappen's views as derisory and also ironic, given that Perez had undoubtedly helped him in his quest for the 2021 title, retaining Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi ahead of the late safety car drama . And while team principal Christian Horner insisted the pair work together this weekend at Yas Marina, former F1 driver Pedro de la Rosa issued a stark warning to Verstappen.
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"I think it's the team's job to make him understand why it's wrong," De La Rosa told DAZN Spain. "And he has to understand because it's very important if he wants to have a loyal teammate like he had at Checo."
And he warned the Dutchman that he could further jeopardize his place in the team if he continues to defy the engineers: "No one will want to work for Verstappen if they know he's going to pay them back like this. "
DON'T MISS:Sebastian Vettel details how close he was to joining Lewis Hamilton before F1 retirementToto Wolff clarifies Lewis Hamilton and George Russell driver order for 2023 seasonFernando Alonso accused of 'deliberately' sabotaged F1 qualifying like Sergio Perez
Max Verstappen has been warned 'nobody will want to work' for him if he repeats the behavior that caused an explosive fallout with Sergio Perez at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The world champion defied team orders in the final stages and refused to let the Mexican pass him to take sixth place, which would have seen his partner Red Bull enter the final race in Abu Dhabi in second position in the driver standings.
After asking "what happened?" on team radio, Verstappen replied: "I already told you last summer, you don't ask me that again. Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I'm sorry. hold on."
Verstappen's grudge is believed to date back to qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, where he was denied a final race in Q3 after Perez took his career off the track, prompting a red flag. The 25-year-old described the late red flag as 'irritating' and even insinuated foul play by his partner, who duly started ahead of him on the grid the following day.
Many viewed Verstappen's views as derisory and also ironic, given that Perez had undoubtedly helped him in his quest for the 2021 title, retaining Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi ahead of the late safety car drama . And while team principal Christian Horner insisted the pair work together this weekend at Yas Marina, former F1 driver Pedro de la Rosa issued a stark warning to Verstappen.
JUST IN: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff hints at Valtteri Bottas' regrets over George Russell's maiden win
"I think it's the team's job to make him understand why it's wrong," De La Rosa told DAZN Spain. "And he has to understand because it's very important if he wants to have a loyal teammate like he had at Checo."
And he warned the Dutchman that he could further jeopardize his place in the team if he continues to defy the engineers: "No one will want to work for Verstappen if they know he's going to pay them back like this. "
DON'T MISS:Sebastian Vettel details how close he was to joining Lewis Hamilton before F1 retirementToto Wolff clarifies Lewis Hamilton and George Russell driver order for 2023 seasonFernando Alonso accused of 'deliberately' sabotaged F1 qualifying like Sergio Perez
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