Sainz says Toro Rosso F1 team-mate Verstappen likes 'bad boy' role

Verstappen was told twice to yield in the closing stages last weekend to allow Sainz, who was on fresher tyres, an opportunity to attack Force India's Sergio Perez for seventh, but the Dutchman chose not to.

After the race, Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost backed Verstappen's stance, while the rookie said his father Jos would have "kicked me in the nuts" if he had given up the place.

Sainz cited two instances where he had obeyed team orders this season and has no plans to stop being a team player despite Verstappen's actions.

"My approach will not change," said Sainz ahead of this weekend's Japanese GP. "I know more what Max is about.

"He likes to play a bit more of maybe a 'bad boy' role and I kind of knew this, but now he has demonstrated it.

"Towards the team [my approach] is not going to change. If they call something I will trust them. I'm a team player.

"I think I behaved, when I need to be selfish I will be, but so far I've not had the opportunity or situation to show selfishness because I trust them and every time they've called for swaps I've done it.

"Malaysia in the last stint when Max overtook me, it was not an overtake.

"I let him by and everyone on the news was like 'oh what a great move' and I was like 'please, I let him by'.

"Then in Monaco, when he was behind Seb [Vettel] and I moved out after the Rascasse and he went through, it was because he was on the super-soft."

Sainz said Verstappen did not let him by because he was unaware the Spaniard would give the place back if the attempt at the pass was unsuccessful, but feels his team-mate should have known that was the plan.

"As far as I know, he didn't let me by because he didn't know I was going to let him by at the end of the race," he said.

"I have come to an understanding [of how Verstappen was thinking] and maybe if you're not completely sure you don't do it.

"But we've had these discussions already in Monaco. He should know.

"I would say I would have done it because I knew the conclusions we had come to after Monaco.

"Everything's OK, it has all been discussed and clarified.

"I had no problem with anyone, I think it was more the team and Max who had to clarify things between them."

Verstappen confirmed Toro Rosso had clarified its procedures.

"I think the one thing we needed was to be a bit more clear on the radio," he said. "We spoke about it and hopefully it will not happen again.

"Nothing has changed in our relationship."