Max Verstappen has opened up about the controversial moment at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix when he refused Red Bull’s team orders to yield to teammate Sergio Perez. This incident has been widely discussed, and Verstappen attributed his decision to lingering frustrations from an earlier event at the Monaco Grand Prix that year. The focus on Max Verstappen Perez team orders remains strong as fans and experts try to understand the dynamics behind the split-second decisions on track.
Sergio Perez, who raced alongside Verstappen for Red Bull from 2021 to 2024, recently shared his perspective on the team orders controversy during an appearance on the Desde el Paddock podcast. Perez revealed that Red Bull regretted letting him leave and described the departure of key designer Adrian Newey as a turning point that introduced several difficulties for the team. He also addressed rumors that a fallout with Verstappen contributed to the breakdown of team orders in Brazil, explaining the background behind the incident.
How Verstappen and Perez’s Relationship Shaped the Brazil Incident
Perez recalled that Verstappen never openly expressed his discontent at the time but kept it to himself for months before bringing it up. The source of Verstappen’s frustration, Perez explained, was related to the Monaco Grand Prix earlier in the season. Perez had crashed out during qualifying, resulting in him starting third while Verstappen began fourth and went on to win the race. This incident reportedly stayed on Verstappen’s mind and influenced his stance during the team orders at the Brazilian GP.
Max had an issue with what happened in Monaco,
said Perez.
He never told me directly, he kept it to himself and brought it up six or eight months later. At the time, we talked about it and cleared everything up.
He had something on his mind from qualifying in Monaco – we talked about it at the next race in Baku, and it was all settled.
But Max is like that. He holds things in until he finally lets them out, usually on the track.
When asked about these comments ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen responded by emphasizing his positive relationship with Perez. He questioned how Perez’s statements had been presented in the media and highlighted their mutual respect.
Told about Perez’s remarks and asked if they were disappointing, Verstappen replied:
“No, but I think also how you now word it is not how he meant it.”
He added,
For me, whatever is written in the media, I know how Checo is, and we have a great relationship.
Verstappen reinforced that their rapport as teammates has always been strong despite the occasional bumps on track.
Sergio Perez’s Future After Red Bull Departure
Following his exit from Red Bull, Sergio Perez currently finds himself without a confirmed seat in Formula 1. Despite being a six-time Grand Prix winner, his immediate path forward remains uncertain. There is speculation about a possible return to F1 in 2026 with the new Cadillac team, which is preparing for its entry into the sport.
There have also been rumors linking Perez to Alpine for the 2025 season, especially amid questions about Franco Colapinto’s future with the team. However, industry sources indicate that Perez’s move to Alpine is unlikely for next year, leaving his racing plans unresolved for now.
Red Bull’s Challenges Following Key Departures
During his podcast comments, Perez mentioned that Red Bull experienced increased difficulties following Adrian Newey’s departure from the team. Newey, who had been instrumental in Red Bull’s design success, left a pressing gap that affected the team’s performance and internal dynamics. This adds further context to the friction seen between Verstappen and Perez as they navigated a shifting team environment.
As Red Bull prepares for the upcoming races and works on the RB21 car development, the team’s ability to recover and maintain dominance in the championship remains a major point of focus. Verstappen, as a two-time World Champion, is central to these efforts as he continues to strive for further success.