Red Bull Racing found itself at the heart of a significant controversy following the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, as reigning World Champion Max Verstappen defied explicit team orders to let his teammate, Sergio Perez, pass him on the final lap. The incident sparked outrage among fans and commentators, exposing underlying tensions within the dominant championship-winning team and casting a shadow over what had otherwise been a stellar season for Red Bull. The team was quick to issue an apology to Perez, acknowledging the gravity of Verstappen’s refusal, which directly impacted Perez’s crucial battle for second place in the Drivers’ Championship.
The drama unfolded in the closing stages of a thrilling race at Interlagos. Following a Safety Car period that bunched up the field, Max Verstappen, who had already secured his second consecutive Drivers’ Championship, found himself ahead of Sergio Perez. The pair were actively chasing down Fernando Alonso’s Alpine, battling for positions in the midfield. With points vital for Perez’s championship aspirations, the team decided to implement a strategic swap if Verstappen couldn’t make further progress.
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As the race headed into its final lap, Verstappen had not managed to overtake Alonso. His race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, relayed clear instructions: “Max, if we don’t pass Fernando on the exit of 12, can we let Checo through, please. Let Checo back through.” The instruction was simple and direct, aimed at maximising points for Perez in his fight against Charles Leclerc for P2 in the championship standings. However, as Verstappen approached the finish line, he showed no signs of backing off. Lambiase’s radio calls became increasingly urgent, repeatedly telling Verstappen to “Let Checo through.” Despite the insistent commands, Verstappen crossed the finish line in sixth place, just ahead of Perez, completely ignoring the team’s plea.
The immediate aftermath on team radio was tense and revealing. Lambiase, clearly perplexed, asked Verstappen, “Max, what happened?” Verstappen’s response was swift and unapologetic, hinting at past grievances: “I told you already last time guys, don’t ask that again to me, okay. Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I stand by it.” This defiant stance sent shockwaves through the paddock, questioning the authority of Red Bull team management and the spirit of teamwork within the reigning champions.
The incident drew a swift apology from Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who personally came on Perez’s radio to express regret for the situation. “I’m sorry about that, Checo,” Horner conveyed, attempting to mitigate the damage. Perez’s reaction was one of profound disappointment and a sense of betrayal. His poignant reply on team radio – “Yeah. It shows who he really is” – resonated deeply, highlighting the personal strain and the perceived lack of support from his teammate, especially after what Perez believed was his steadfast backing of Verstappen in previous championship campaigns.
After the race, a visibly frustrated Sergio Perez expressed his utter disbelief at Verstappen’s actions. “I’ve no idea why he refused to let me past. I’m really surprised,” he stated to the media. The Mexican driver emphasized his contributions to Verstappen’s title successes: “After all I’ve done for him, it’s a bit disappointing to be honest. I was told to let him by that I was going to get back the position. I don’t know what was the communication with him on his side.” His words underscored the expectation of reciprocity and the breakdown of trust that the incident had caused within the garage.
Verstappen, when pressed by reporters, remained tight-lipped about his specific reasons for defying the team order. “I have my reasons for that,” he reiterated, maintaining a firm stance without offering further details publicly. He indicated that the matter had been discussed internally: “We just discussed that and I think it was good that we finally just sat together and talked about it and basically just move forward from here.” This internal discussion was crucial for Red Bull to manage the immediate crisis and prevent it from spiralling into a full-blown team schism, especially with the final race of the season still pending.
Despite the contentious exchange, Verstappen did offer a glimmer of hope regarding his willingness to assist Perez in the upcoming season finale in Abu Dhabi, where Perez was locked in a fierce battle with Charles Leclerc for the runner-up spot in the Drivers’ Championship. “For sure if we go to Abu Dhabi and he needs the points, because they’re tied, it’s not the end of the world, it’s all about who finishes ahead anyway,” Verstappen stated. “If he needs the help, I’ll be there. But it’s good that we talked about it now and basically cleared everything that was there why I didn’t do it.” This conditional offer of support, however, left many questioning the true nature of their partnership, given the direct defiance witnessed in Brazil.
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The incident at the Brazilian Grand Prix ignited a wider debate about team orders in Formula 1. While often unpopular with fans who prefer pure racing, team orders are a fundamental aspect of F1 strategy, especially when championship points are at stake. Teams frequently employ them to optimize constructor or driver championship standings. Red Bull, known for its decisive strategic calls, has previously implemented such orders. The unique aspect of this situation was not the order itself, but its blatant disregard by the driver who had already secured his personal championship, leading to speculation about his motivations and loyalty to his teammate and team.
Historically, Formula 1 is replete with instances of team orders causing controversy. From Rubens Barrichello being forced to cede victory to Michael Schumacher at Austria in 2002 to Sebastian Vettel’s infamous “Multi-21” incident at Malaysia in 2013, where he ignored Red Bull’s instruction to hold position behind Mark Webber, these moments highlight the delicate balance between individual ambition and team objectives. Verstappen’s refusal, in many ways, echoed these past incidents, demonstrating a driver’s willingness to prioritize personal history or grievances over immediate team gain, especially when their own championship is already settled.
The repercussions of this event extended beyond the immediate race. For Sergio Perez, the points lost could prove critical in his quest for P2, a career-best achievement that would solidify his standing as one of the grid’s top drivers. For Red Bull, the incident raised questions about internal discipline, driver management, and the potential for fractured team dynamics heading into future seasons. Maintaining harmony between two competitive drivers is always a challenge, but a public defiance of team orders, especially from the lead driver, tests the very fabric of team cohesion.
The F1 community reacted strongly, with many fans and pundits criticizing Verstappen for his perceived selfishness and lack of sportsmanship. Social media platforms buzzed with discussions, highlighting the divide between those who supported Verstappen’s right to race freely and those who felt he had let his teammate down significantly. The incident became a major talking point, overshadowing other aspects of the Brazilian Grand Prix and adding a layer of personal drama to the championship run-in.
Verstappen’s Radio Messages: A Glimpse into the Confrontation
The radio exchanges between Max Verstappen and his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, offer a raw insight into the escalating tension and Verstappen’s ultimate defiance. The sequence of messages vividly captures the unfolding drama:
| Verstappen | How many laps? |
| Lambiase | This is the final lap, Max. |
| Lambiase | Max, if we don’t pass Fernando on the exit of 12, can we let Checo through, please. Let Checo back through. |
| Lambiase | Don’t worry about the DRS, Max. Let Checo through. |
| Lambiase | Let Checo through. |
| Lambiase | Max, let Checo through please. |
| Lambiase | Max, what happened? |
| Verstappen | I told you already last time guys, don’t ask that again to me, okay. Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I stand by it. |
| Lambiase | Into the pit lane, please. |
Perez’s Heartfelt Radio Exchange with Horner
Sergio Perez’s radio communication post-race, especially with Christian Horner, revealed the emotional impact of the situation on the driver:
| Perez | Thank you for that guys. Thanks you. |
| Horner | I’m sorry about that, Checo |
| Bird | Recharge on, Checo. Fail 84. |
| Bird | We’ll debrief everything afterwards. |
| Perez | Yeah. It shows who he really is. |
| Bird | Don’t know what to say, Checo. Safety Car ruined it. |
| Perez | Yeah. What a race. We were nowhere in the end with these mediums. |
Looking ahead to the season finale in Abu Dhabi, the pressure on Red Bull Racing to manage this internal conflict effectively was immense. The team needed to present a united front, not only for the sake of Perez’s championship standing but also for the team’s public image and future stability. The Brazilian Grand Prix incident served as a stark reminder that even in a dominant season, internal dynamics and individual ambitions can ignite dramatic controversies, testing the resolve and cohesion of even the most successful Formula 1 teams.
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