The 2o21 Abu Dhabi witnessed the Mexican Minister of Defense, Sergio Perez, fight like a lion against Lewis Hamilton to ensure that Max Verstappen stays in the title fight. The Red Bull duo has time and again stood up for each other in crunch moments. However, that relationship took an ugly turn during an action-packed Brazilian GP on Sunday.
After an intense sprint race, Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen found themselves on the second row behind George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. An early collision for Max meant he was out of contention to win the race. However, Checo found himself in a promising situation behind race leader George Russell.
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The fight for P2 in the drivers’ championship is on between Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc. Therefore, Checo needed to finish ahead of Leclerc’s Ferrari. Unfortunately, he failed to do so after an untimely Safety Car exposed him to drivers on fresher rubber.
Max had the opportunity to minimize his teammate’s damage by letting him through on the last lap. However, he decided to go against team orders and finish ahead of his teammate.
On being asked to do so, the Dutch Lion bluntly replied, “I told you already last summer, guys, don’t ask that again to me. Okay? Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons, and I stand by it.”
This means both Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc have 290 points before the final showdown in Abu Dhabi. Leclerc is ahead of Checo in the championship due to more wins in the season.
Monaco GP shunt is rumored to be the reason behind Max Verstappen not letting Sergio Perez through
Max Verstappen has hinted at Sergio Perez’s Monaco GP crash being the reason behind his decision. It’s speculated that Checo crashed deliberately back then to take away the opportunity from Max to grab pole. Conspiracy theories ignite as fans take to Twitter to express their opinion.
This Max-Checo thing is definitely about Monaco
Rachel Brookes just flat out asked Max if it was about Monaco and he didn’t deny it and said “decide for yourself” with a smile
Pretty obvious
— Aldas🇱🇹 (@Aldas001) November 13, 2022
🗣 | Is it anything to do with Monaco?
Max: “You can decide, I’m not gonna say”
This it not looking good💀
— RBR News 🇳🇱🇲🇽 (@redbulletin) November 13, 2022
"It is correct what @TomCoronel just said at ViaPlay. Perez deliberately crashed in qualifying in Monaco and later admitted it to Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. Max Verstappen has not forgotten that."@ErikvHaren
— RBR News 🇳🇱🇲🇽 (@redbulletin) November 13, 2022
Perez deliberately crashed in qualifying in Monaco and later admitted it to Helmut Marko and Christian Horner.
Max Verstappen has not forgotten that by referring to it on his team radio.
(Per @ErikvHaren)
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) November 13, 2022
Who knew this would turn out to be such a dramatic moment 👀 pic.twitter.com/XJ1e8hoab6
— Ferrari News 🐎 (@FanaticsFerrari) November 13, 2022
Holding a grudge 6 months ago that is completely irrelevant in the championship fight is crazy 💀 https://t.co/Ah07PBRKSO
— ahya ❄⁶𓅓 (@drizzyahya) November 13, 2022
no im sorry, max very obviously had to think of an excuse in a second and this is the only thing that came to mind. like how will you cry about an incident 5 months old when you’re already champion. it’s such bullshit. https://t.co/J8boTwXzeZ
— seb⁴⁴ GEORGE FIRST WIN (@copsebattle) November 13, 2022
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WATCH THIS STORY: Not Max Verstappen or Charles Leclerc Red Bull Chief Picks This F1 Driver for Surprise of the Year
No one knew cuz it wasn't on purpose https://t.co/RgJlMcu5SB
— ire (@1itsire) November 13, 2022
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Max-Checo bromance has taken an ugly turn. It’ll be interesting to see how Christian Horner and Red Bull react if a situation like this arises in the season finale in Abu Dhabi.