Despite Synchronized Abu Dhabi Act, Max Verstappen’s Relationship With Sergio Perez Labeled “Irreparable”

After Max Verstappen refused to let Sergio Perez pass in Brazil, Charles Leclerc leveled his points with Checo for 2nd in the drivers’ standings. Leclerc then finished ahead of Perez in the final race in Abu Dhabi to become the runner-up. Looking back now, we know Verstappen’s sacrifice would not have been enough to let his teammate secure 2nd. However, the incident may have caused irreparable damage to their relationship.

As the Red Bull strategists realized Sergio Perez could not pass Fernando Alonso, they asked Max Verstappen to do the job. Verstappen passed his teammate with no resistance. The mission was to pass Alonso and then fight Charles Leclerc ahead of him and steal as many points as possible. Max was, however, also told to give the position back to his teammate in case he could not overtake Alonso. The Dutchman defied the team’s orders and crossed the chequered flag ahead of Perez.

Has the Brazil incident caused irreparable damage to Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez’s relationship?

Actor Will Arnett and American sports reporter Michelle Beadle recently discussed the situation and whether things between Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen could ever go back to normal.

Michelle speaking on the Fast & Loose: F1 podcast said, “Even though it (Perez finishing ahead of Verstappen in Brazil) may not have really adjusted the points necessary to make him 2nd, I do think there’s irreparable damage at some point. You can say you’re over something, but there’s just this lack of trust in your teammate.”

“Like, if the poop hits the fan, am I going to be able to count on you to do what’s right for the team or you’re always going to be out for number 1? And while I don’t blame Max for being out for number 1, I think that’s how you should be in sports, I do think it’s just a weird dynamic between the two of them.”

“I’m sure they’ll get past it but I don’t think it ever truly goes away. I don’t see how it would.”

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Ferrari going into the final race knew they could not have beaten Perez on pace because their own car was slower. Therefore, their only chance of Charles Leclerc finishing ahead of Perez lay in a clever strategy.

How Ferrari strategists outsmarted their Red Bull counterparts in Abu Dhabi

Although both Red Bulls had a synchronized act in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari threw bait to Red Bull strategists to make them think Charles Leclerc was on a two-stop strategy and it worked. This was to prompt them to pit Perez for a tire change while Leclerc stayed out.

The pit wall told Leclerc to “Box opposite Red Bull” on the team radio. Leclerc, who knew he was supposed to be on a one-stop strategy, stayed out. Red Bull, however, took the bait and pitted Checo. Charles eventually beat Perez by 1.3 seconds and took the runner-up position in the drivers’ standings.

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Do you think Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will put their differences aside next year and put the team first? Or are we in for another teammate vs teammate rivalry?