Verstappen caused quite a stir at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix when he did not follow team orders from Red Bull. The team had told Verstappen to hand over P6 to team-mate Perez, with the aim being two extra points that would put him ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc as they battled for second place to Verstappen in the Championship. As it stands, Perez now heads into the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix level on points with Leclerc, although Leclerc holds P2 due to having won three races this season to Perez’s two. Perez didn’t keep his words soft or sweet when reacting to Verstappen’s embarrassment over team radio, saying the Dutchman had shown “who he really is”. But in line with what Red Bull team principal Christian Horner had said, Perez has now confirmed that the matter was discussed behind closed doors and that he and Verstappen have agreed to go ahead. “What a day yesterday,” Perez wrote on social media. “A podium for sure, but the lack of pace was complicated by the SC (Safety Car). Now let’s focus on Abu Dhabi. “With Max and the team, everything was discussed yesterday and will be kept internal, this is behind us and we will continue to work as the great team that we have been until now.” Of course, given that Verstappen refused to play ball in this situation, it creates an element of doubt for Abu Dhabi, where he may once again be needed to help his team-mate’s cause. Horner was confident, however, stating that Verstappen is fully prepared to support his team-mate should the need arise. “The drivers have discussed it, they have shaken hands and we are fully focused on this next race,” Horner told Sky Sports F1. “We work as a team, we compete as a team and our aim and priority is to see if we can get the Czech Republic to finish second in the championship. “It’s something we’ve never achieved as a team before and Max has also given his commitment. We will do our best in Abu Dhabi to achieve this. So it’s a straight fight between Cheko and Charles, and if Max can help in any way he will. “Czeko has done an amazing job all year and deserves this second place. And I think as a team, we’re going to do our best to support that to make it happen in Abu Dhabi.” Read next – Jenson Button on team pecking order: ‘Red Bull put themselves in this situation’
