Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has already wrapped up his second successive Formula 1 world championship.
This season has been far more comfortable for Verstappen on the track and his world title was formalised with four races still to be raced, while it had been a foregone conclusion for much of the season.
In light of this, Verstappen has been praised immensely for his driving acumen, with some even believing that he is a “one in a century” driver.
However, his refusal to heed a Red Bull team instruction at the end of the Brazilian Grand Prix has not been received well.
Verstappen was told to allow Perez through during the final lap, with the team keen to offer the Mexican as much help in his battle for second spot in the drivers’ standings.
Verstappen, who was not in contention for pole himself, chose to disobey this order, saying that his team knew very well just why he did it.
F1 fans on Twitter were quick to criticise the Dutch driver for his actions.
Dear max verstappen fans.. If this incident with Perez is finally opening your eyes to what kind of person Max is. We’d like to tell you we’ve known this entire time. You were just too blind to see it. – sincerely, fans of literally every other driver
— Ben (@Ichimaru_7) November 13, 2022
Checo helped him to win two championships, but Mr. Max Verstappen has his “reasons”. You’ve already won the Championship, what else do you want?
— valeria.✧･ﾟ (@checolover111) November 13, 2022
Sergio Perez helped Max Verstappen win the world title last year by defending like a LION during the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP
— Matt Gallagher (@MattyWTF1) November 13, 2022
Verstappen refused to give up 6th place to Perez when both titles are wrapped up
Make it make sense?????
I’m a huge fan of Max Verstappen, but that’s a piece of shit move to ignore team orders and not let Checo through for the points #BrazilGP #Formula1 #MaxVerstappen
— James (@F1Jammers) November 13, 2022
Verstappen has got to be the BIGGEST idiot in F1 right now.
— Alan Mehdizadeh (@alanmehdizadeh) November 13, 2022
Checo Perez did everything to make sure Max won the championship last season, yet Max couldn’t move over and help him out (when he’s already wrapped up the championship this year).
Max is a joke. Petulant little boy.
There’s no “i” in Team
— AnythingF1 (@AnythingF1_) November 13, 2022
Max Verstappen spelling team: “Teim” pic.twitter.com/JJFikxCTnA
Do you think Verstappen’s actions were justified? Let us know in the comments!