The dispute over team orders at Red Bull has been the dominant topic in Formula 1 since the Brazilian Grand Prix. But Sergio Pérez hopes that everyone involved will behave like “adults”. He himself has so far declined to comment in detail on the events.
“We’ll sort it all out internally within the team and then move on,” he said immediately after the race. Despite a clear announcement from the command post, Max Verstappen refused to give up sixth place to Pérez in order to make up points against Charles Leclerc in the fight for second place in the drivers’ championship.
“Obviously I’m disappointed,” Pérez commented on his team-mate’s refusal to let him pass, “especially after everything I’ve done. But I’m sure we’re all grown up and we’ll continue as a team.”
While Verstappen explained he “has his reasons”, Pérez recalled previous occasions when he had helped him: “Obviously I’ve done a lot for him in the past, it’s no secret. But like I said, it’s good to have this discussion internally and we’re moving forward as a team.”
Pérez also emphasized that he believed the situation had been resolved. “Yes, definitely. Otherwise it doesn’t make sense to me. It will not only be different in Abu Dhabi, but also in the future. We will always put the team before our interests.”
“We had a really good first stint but…”
Pérez had a difficult weekend in Brazil. He was second for most of the race behind eventual winner George Russell, but slipped from third to seventh in the closing stages: “Yeah, it just kept getting worse.”
“We had a really good first stint. The second stint went well but the last stint was very, very bad, especially with the safety car.” Because while Pérez was on medium tires when the safety car restarted, the rivals had raised softs, making him easy prey for them.
Speaking about the duel with Leclerc at the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Pérez said: “I think it will be the one who finishes first, so it would be nice to do that.” Before the last race, both are still level with 290 points.