F1 REPORT: Max Verstappen’s Team Order Snub Finally Explained by

Max Verstappen’s Team Order Snub Finally Explained by Father Jos

Max Verstappen’s refusal to follow team orders during the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix has been a topic of much debate, but his father, Jos Verstappen, has finally shed light on the situation. According to Jos, Red Bull had informed Max prior to the race that no team orders would be requested, which adds context to his controversial decision to ignore the directive.

During the final laps of the race, Verstappen overtook his teammate Sergio Perez to move into sixth place. However, Red Bull soon requested that Verstappen give the position back to Perez, who was fighting for second place in the Drivers’ Championship with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Despite already being crowned the 2022 World Champion, Verstappen refused to follow the team’s instructions, a decision that caused significant backlash on social media.

At the time, Verstappen referenced a prior incident as one of the reasons he didn’t allow Perez to reclaim sixth place, but he did not go into detail. Now, Jos Verstappen has clarified the situation, stating that Max had been told ahead of the race that the team would not ask him to swap places with Perez. Despite this understanding, the request was made during the race, catching Max off guard.

Jos explained, “That question came. Max had talked about it before the trip to Brazil and they weren’t going to ask, and suddenly that question came over the onboard radio anyway. Max responded very clearly then too. He leaves no room for doubt, even in this area.”

Verstappen’s refusal to comply with the order caused a stir, as it was seen as potentially harmful to Perez’s chances of securing second place in the standings. The two extra points Perez could have gained from finishing sixth instead of seventh would have helped his battle with Leclerc, but Verstappen stood firm, leading to criticism from fans and pundits alike.

Max Verstappen, who is known for his fiercely competitive nature, faced harsh personal criticism for his actions. However, he dismissed the backlash, calling it “ridiculous.” He believed the request was unfair given the prior agreement that there would be no team orders.

Jos Verstappen, himself a former Formula 1 driver, defended his son’s actions, noting that even if the request had been planned, Max would have struggled to let his teammate through. He explained that Max is not the type of driver who easily gives up a position, especially when he feels justified in holding it.

Jos also drew a comparison to an incident involving McLaren at the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, where Lando Norris eventually allowed teammate Oscar Piastri to pass him after much debate over team radio. Norris, who had fresher tires after an earlier pit stop, initially jumped ahead of Piastri but later relented and let the Australian take his first Grand Prix victory. Jos speculated that Max would have found it difficult to make the same concession in a similar situation.

“They must have regretted that later,” Jos said of McLaren’s decision in Hungary. “But it’s hard to say anything about that, because you don’t know what’s going on in that team, what contracts are like, and what agreements were made.”

Ultimately, Jos concluded that Max’s refusal to follow team orders in Sao Paulo was in line with his competitive mindset and clear communication about his intentions. He added, “Everyone is different and has to react in the way that suits them.”

Max’s firm stance on the matter, combined with his unmatched driving skill, demonstrates why he is one of the most dominant drivers in the sport, even when it sparks controversy.