Red Bull accepts Verstappen's 'reasoning' for team order snub in Brazil

Red Bull says it has accepted Max Verstappen's "reasoning" for his rejection of a team order requesting that he let teammate Sergio Perez overtake him on the final lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

But the Milton Keynes-based outfit has also spoken out against the abuse directed to its drivers and team members online after the incident.

The epilogue of last weekend's race was marked by a clash between Verstappen and Perez triggered by the team's request for the Dutchman to swap positions with his teammate to allow the latter to boost his points tally relative to Ferrari's Charles Leclerc with whom Perez is fighting for the runner-up spot in the Drivers' championship.

When asked by his race engineer over the radio why he had not complied with the order, Verstappen claimed that he had his "reasons", alluding to a past squabble with Perez.

After the race, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner brought his two drivers together to clear the air and draw a line under the matter.

On Thursday, ahead of this weekend's season finale in Abu Dhabi, Red Bull issued a statement in which it accepted Verstappen's "reasoning" while also condemning the wave of online abuse that followed.

"As a team we made some mistakes in Brazil," read the statement. "We had not envisaged the situation that unfolded on the last lap and we had not agreed a strategy for such a scenario before the race.

"Regretfully, Max was only informed at the final corner of the request to give up position without all the necessary information being relayed.

"This put Max, who has always been an open and fair team player, in a compromising situation with little time to react which was not our intention.

"Following the race Max spoke openly and honestly, allowing for both drivers to resolve any outstanding issues or concerns.

"The Team accept Max's reasoning, the conversation was a personal matter which will remain private between the team and no further comment will be made."

Read also:

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

Red Bull's comment then addressed the aftermath of the incident on social media.

"The events that followed from a social media point of view are completely unacceptable," the team said.

"The abusive online behaviour towards Max, Checo, the Team and their respective families is shocking and saddening and unfortunately is something that we as a sport are having to address with depressing regularity.

"There is no place for it in racing or society as a whole and we need to do and be better. At the end of the day this is a sport, we are here to race.

"Death threats, hate mail, vitriol towards extended family members is deplorable. We value inclusion and want a safe space for everyone to work in and enjoy our sport.

"The abuse needs to stop."

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