Red Bull has issued a strong statement condemning the online abuse and death threats directed at Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez following the Brazilian Grand Prix last weekend. Verstappen refused to comply with a team order to let Perez through in order to boost Perez’s chances of beating Charles Leclerc to second place in this year’s Drivers’ Championship standings in the closing stages of the race in Sao Paulo.
Following the incidents that happened at the So Paulo Grand Prix, which made Sergio Perez furious because Max Verstappen didn’t let him through, and for which he wanted to earn points in order to boost his hopes of beating Charles Leclerc to second place in this year’s Drivers’ Championship standings.
Verstappen’s radio message came quickly: “I told you already last time, guys. Don’t ask that again to me, okay? Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons, and I stand by it.”
“After all I’ve done for him, it’s a bit disappointing, to be honest.” Sergio Perez said he was “really surprised” that Max Verstappen refused to let him pass at the end of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Red Bull has now issued a statement admitting that they made mistakes in how they handled the situation, but condemning the abuse directed at them on social media in the scandal of the drama surrounding their drivers last weekend.
“As a team we made some mistakes in Brazil,” Red Bull said. “We had not envisaged the situation that unfolded on the last lap and we had not agreed a strategy for such a scenario before the race.
“Regretfully, Max was only informed at the final corner of the request to give up position without all the necessary information being relayed.
“This put Max, who has always been an open and fair team player, in a compromising situation with little time to react, which was not our intention.”
“Following the race, Max spoke openly and honestly, allowing for both drivers to resolve any outstanding issues or concerns.
“The team accepts Max’s reasoning, the conversation was a personal matter which will remain private between the team and no further comment will be made.”
“The events that followed from a social media point of view are completely unacceptable. The abusive online behaviour towards Max, Checo, the Team and their respective families is shocking and saddening and unfortunately is something that we as a sport are having to address with depressing regularity.
“There is no place for it in racing or society as a whole and we need to do and be better. At the end of the day this is a sport, we are here to race.
“Death threats, hate mail, vitriol towards extended family members is deplorable. We value inclusion and want a safe space for everyone to work in and enjoy our sport. The abuse needs to stop.”
There is absolutely no excuse for any kind of threat it is completely in excusable. can there not be some kind of filter be introduced on the comments.
I would I found that if it was correct Mrs Verstappen should also be included for her mean loathsome posting