Christian Horner blames Max Verstappen-Sergio Perez team orders saga in Brazil on a Red Bull ‘mistake’

WHat happened between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez embroiled the team (and the drivers) in a slew of controversy. Reflecting back, Christian Horner thinks it happened due to a 'mistake' by the team.

Christian Horner blames Max Verstappen-Sergio Perez team orders saga in Brazil on a Red Bull ‘mistake’

Sergio Perez (L) and Max Verstappen (R)

Formula 1 erupt with another team orders controversy at last season’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Max Verstappen, who had been let through, refused to let Sergio Perez re-pass him, despite team orders from Red Bull, citing “I have my reasons.” Many wondered why this was the case, with Dutch media reports placing the blame on an apparently deliberate qualifying crash by Perez in Monaco. Red Bull chose to handle the matter internally – and we’re unlikely to ever find out the exact details of it.

Since then, the team (management) have continually asserted that the drivers have put that behind them, and are willing to work together. It was said that Verstappen was willing to help Perez in Abu Dhabi in any way possible, now that the matter had been resolved. At the time, the Mexican had clearly been unhappy with the whole affair, stating: “Yeah, it shows who he [Verstappen] really is.”

https://youtu.be/jf_Ne-dfnHs

In a separate interview, when asked what Verstappen’s reasons may have been, Perez said: “No idea, no idea, maybe you should ask him about it. But, yeah, nothing to say really. After all [that] I’ve done for him, it’s a bit disappointing, to be honest.” The 32-year-old later showed regret for his comments, adding that the ‘situation could have been handled better’. Recently, RB team principal, Christian Horner conceded a similar view, putting the blame on the team instead of the drivers.

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As per Formula1.com, Horner said: “I think the root cause of the problem was we had never envisaged being in a situation, being in the final few laps, being in sixth and seventh place in that Grand Prix. And I think it was something that, as we hadn’t envisaged it, we hadn’t discussed it, before the race, and I think, that was a mistake on our part, that we should have thought through, or tried to think through every single scenario.”

Read More: Christian Horner drops Brazilian GP bombshell on Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, asks them to ‘move on’

For a more in depth look at the ‘incident’: Team orders not followed by Max Verstappen and a rumoured deliberate crash by Sergio Perez: The Grand Controversy surrounding Red Bull

Christian Horner: Max Verstappen-Sergio Perez dynamic ‘absolutely fine’

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner

Christian Horner thinks that it was a ‘mistake’ to not discuss this type of situation occurring, and come up with a plan in case it did. It was definitely one of the most controversial moments of the season and left a bad taste in the mouth. If not resolved optimally, it could have torn the team in two – but the Briton says the dynamic between both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez is ‘absolutely fine’.

The Red Bull team principal said: “And so, I think that was a mistake as a team that we didn’t discuss it and come up with a very clear plan. Obviously, it was unfortunate what happened, but it was quickly discussed, openly and transparently. And both drivers were very clear, open, and honest with each other, and from that, as a team, we move on and the dynamic between the drivers is absolutely fine.”

Even if there were any tensions left between the drivers, they would have to let go of that: 2023 poses a great challenge to Red Bull’s potential dominance. The cost cap penalty will further exacerbate matters for them, with the 10% reduced wind tunnel time. They cannot afford infighting. if the two clash, that’s valuable money and development lost. Ferrari and Mercedes look to catch up with them next season – and could give them a serious run for their money.

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