What Verstappen’s team orders defiance says about Red Bull

OPINION: Max Verstappen's defiance of team orders in the Brazilian Grand Prix has led to an unnecessary rift between himself and Sergio Perez in the Red Bull camp. While the team is no stranger to controversies within its own borders, the Brazil fallout highlights the world champion's pulling power

It’s the final lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix. Undoubtably, the absence of a long straight has flattered Mercedes and its draggy W13 to some extent. Nevertheless, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton are shortly to end a winless spell with a fairly commanding 1-2. After the squad posed a genuine threat in Mexico also, the Silver Arrows are ending the year with a bang. Now, one strong winter could plausibly lead to a three-team fight in 2023.

Given Red Bull will have its aerodynamic testing allowance cut owing to a 2021 budget cap breach, there is even more reason to consider that next season could be a close-run thing. Therefore, best not to go into it with any internal friction that may come to haunt you.

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Author Matt Kew

Matt Kew is Autosport’s F1 Editor, a role he has held since March 2022 following stints covering Formula E, Extreme E and the British Touring Car Championship.

Matt joined Autosport in 2018 to work predominantly on the magazine, but his relentless quoting of Alan Partridge meant office colleagues soon thought he would be better-suited to increased field work.

Needless to say, Matt had the last laugh when he won the Motorsport UK Young Journalist of the Year Award in 2019.

His interest in motorsport was sparked by regular trips to watch ASCAR crash around Rockingham’s banked oval.

Matt read politics and philosophy at the University of Sheffield - receiving first-class honours for his dissertation assessing the lack of female participation in top-tier motor racing.

He covered a wide variety of national race and rally meetings for Autosport as a freelancer before joining full-time. His best efforts to argue the merits of historic racing are undone by a questionable taste in music and James Bond actors.