Max Verstappen’s refusal to give Sergio Pérez his place may return to bite him | Giles Richards

14/11/2022 20:28

The double world champion is failing to see the bigger picture by not returning the favour to his Red Bull teammate

Appearing to bear a grudge is far from a good look and for a double Formula One world champion it cannot help but diminish the sheen of success. Max Verstappen might have felt he made a point in refusing to give up his place to teammate Sergio Pérez at the São Paulo Grand Prix but his actions came across like those of an irascible child, self-obsessed to the point of being unable to grasp the needlessness of his actions nor the potential harm they might bring on himself in future.

At Interlagos, George Russell took his first F1 win and Mercedes’ only victory so far this season in a celebratory atmosphere. In his wake Red Bull’s Verstappen and Pérez were enduring an altogether more fractious Sunday afternoon. After Verstappen had clashed with Lewis Hamilton his chance of a win had gone but having moved through the field he found himself in sixth in front of Pérez.