MAX VERSTAPPEN, IS HE A TEAM PLAYER? 

The racing world’s most hot-headed, electrifying double world F1 drivers champion Max Verstappen had found himself in many controversial moves within the sport in the 2022 campaign but nothing shook the driving community more than what happened in Brazil on the 13th November 2022. 

Redbull Racing were quick to defend their number one driver, Max Verstappen, after his blatant refusal to allow teammate, Sergio Perez, to pass him during the race. Although there is still speculation regarding the reason behind Verstappen’s actions, it is understood to have relation to Perez’s unexpected crash at the end of qualifying for the Monaco grand prix in May 2022. 

Despite George Russel getting his maiden victory in the São Paulo Grand Prix, his triumph was entirely overshadowed by the row within Redbull Racing. In post-race interviews Perez said in response to the reporter questioning on why Verstappen refused to allow him to pass, “No I cannot believe that… I am definitely surprised with all that I’ve done for him.” 

Verstappen certainly faced backlash for this action from his teammate and fans, in the press conference for the Abu Dhabi GP, Verstappen commented on the “pretty disgusting” comments that he had read, which threatened both him and his family. While these threatening comments are certainly unnecessary, loyal fans continued to attack Max Verstappen for his ‘selfish’ and ‘unfair’ actions, which indirectly cost Perez the second place position in the World Drivers Championship. 

The outroar against Verstappen eventually lead to the F1 community questioning Verstappen’s sportsmanship and sense of team loyalty, some fans were outraged at the ‘selfishness’ of his actions in the Brazilian GP. Considering that going into the Brazilian GP Verstappen had already secured the victory with a 146 point lead to Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, the reason behind his actions in the race still remain unclear, in an interview Verstappen stated that, “We went to Brazil and I just though we were going to race, try to get the best possible result. We had a bit of miscommunication on Saturday and Sunday, nothing had been said to me about a potential swap,” this response certainly raised tensions as fans disagreed that Verstappen had ’no knowledge’ of a swap, considering that team radio was played where the plan for the two cars to swap places was clearly stated. 

Seemingly, the issue within the team has been resolved as stated by team principle Christian Horner, “As a team we made some mistakes in Brazil… we had not envisaged the situation that unfolded on the last lap and we had not agreed a strategy for such a scenario before the race.”

However, fans have high expectations for ‘Checo’s revenge’ and the potential underlying issues within the team that may play large roles in the 2023 racing season. 

By Tillie Tupholme

Senior F1 Reporter

Carres Grammar School Newsroom