Perez: We're all 'grown-ups' and we'll move forward

Sergio Perez refused to give away what was said in Red Bull's post-race crisis meeting in Sao Paulo last Sunday, but the Mexican vowed to put his differences with Max Verstappen behind him.

Red Bull was in crisis mode immediately after the Brazilian Grand Prix after Verstappen has point blank refused to give up his sixth-place position in the race to Perez to help the latter secure the runner-up spot in the Drivers' championship.

Despite multiple requests in the closing laps of the race, the Dutchman tenaciously rejected to comply with the team order for reasons only known to the two-time world champion.

After the race, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner immediately called a meeting with his two drivers and Helmut Marko to clear the air.

The action was successful, but no information on the peace talks filtered through to the media. However, Perez made clear that the contentious situation had been diffused.

"We will get all of that internally within the team and we will move on," he said.

"Obviously, I am disappointed, especially after all I've done. But I'm sure we are all grown-ups and we will move forward as a team."

Asked if he would be able to rely on Verstappen's help if necessary to secure his runner-up sport in the Drivers' standings against Leclerc next weekend in Abu Dhabi, Perez said: "Yeah, definitely, otherwise, it makes no sense for me."

"It will be different not only in Abu Dhabi, but going forward. We will always put the team in front of our interests."

Read also:

• Red Bull draws the line: Verstappen 'committed' to helping Perez

Perez had been hopeful of outscoring Leclerc in Brazil, but the Mexican lost his momentum in the race after the second safety car period when, running on the medium tyre, he was outpaced by those immediately behind him who were on the softs.

Eventually, he drifted from third to seventh in the final nine laps of the race.

"Yeah, it just went from bad to worse you know, we had a really good first stint," he explained.

"The second stint was going well, but then the final stint was really, really bad, especially with the safety car it just ruined our race being on that medium at the restart, we have no grip, and we were just a passenger."

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