Formula 1 has a knack for creating blockbuster drama even though on track, the battles may sometimes fall pale. The 2023 F1 championship is well underway, and it’s safe to say that Red Bull will once again run away with all the accolades. Then why should you even bother watching the remaining races? Well, for one, the team dynamic within Red Bull is something definitely worth watching out for. A feud that began back in Brazil last year between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez is far from being settled, as evidenced by the events of yesterday in Jeddah.
Last year, Verstappen openly defied team orders at Sao Paulo, jeopardizing his teammate’s bid for P2 in the championship. What ensued was a big PR disaster for the team. And it would appear that Verstappen has struck again. Perez could’ve topped the championship, for the very first time in his career, last night if he’d have kept the fastest lap. But his teammate in 2nd was having none of it. Even after being told by the team to abandon any effort. However, on the very last lap, Verstappen clinched the fastest lap and with it retained the lead in the championship.
Sergio Perez on the fastest lap:
"They told me I had the fastest lap and to keep a certain pace, so I thought the communication was the same to Max."
"We need to review, because I certainly got different information and just couldn't push."
— F24 (@Formula24hrs) March 20, 2023
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This prompted Perez to say, “They told me I had the fastest lap and to keep a certain pace, so I thought the communication was the same to Max. We need to review, because I certainly got different information and just couldn’t push.” But the fans have their own set of opinions.
Fans react as a single point creates a further rift between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
As soon as the tweet went viral, fans rushed to the social media platform, Twitter, to share their own reactions to this Perez’s claim. One fan even commented, “could get messy real fast.”
Let’s take a look at just a few of the fan reactions to Verstappen’s Jeddah antics.
I figured this was going to cause some sort of drama. It was all over Perez face in the post race interview https://t.co/aLijDn71QJ
— Andre (@AndrePad11) March 20, 2023
could get messy real fast. https://t.co/IxVjrSUanM
— _dell (@fash_dell) March 20, 2023
Some fans even took a dig at Verstappen’s blatant disregard for the rules.
Even though they had it settled over the radio, Checo should by now know what kind of guy Max is. He will go for wins even against his team orders. https://t.co/GHsm6vIXZt
— Ed (@EDXVA) March 20, 2023
How exactly did he believe that Max would do what the team wanted him to do(even if they told) ? 🤔 https://t.co/4tMMLNtwP5
— Arul (@iamarulvijay) March 20, 2023
checo mate i love you but did u seriously think max wasn't gonna go for it regardless of team orders? https://t.co/1SojBdo5RB
— 🍁sarah🍁 (@lancestrulovich) March 20, 2023
Be that as it may, Perez was also called out for a radio message he received that supposedly told him he was free to push.
bfrrr he was free to push!💀 https://t.co/CoQ3U7WOZt
— aby¹⁶⁵⁵ 🍂📨 RACE DAY🇸🇦 (@nickhchar) March 20, 2023
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WATCH THIS STORY: How a Euphoric Sergio Perez Hilariously Leaked His Red Bull Contract Announcement at Monaco
dramaaa https://t.co/QPk8gsR9xw
— nad¹⁶ (@NadxCL16) March 20, 2023
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Where do you stand on this Verstappen versus Perez debate?