Baku clash 'proves Red Bull are backing Verstappen'

The circumstances around Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo's crash at the prove Red Bull are favouring the Dutchman, according to a prominent motorsport pundit. Ricciardo and Verstappen were allowed to go wheel-to-wheel numerous times by Red bull before their terminal crash in Baku.

Ricciardo passed Verstappen after two failed attempts which had seen the team-mates bang wheels with each other, but the Dutchman emerged back ahead of Ricciardo after their pit-stops.

And when the Australian tried another dive down the inside of turn one, Verstappen slammed the door shut, with Ricciardo rear-ending the sister Red Bull and causing them to retire immediately.

Red bull opted against enforcinf team orders on the pair, despite Ricciardo appearing to possess greater race pace and British Touring Car Championship series director Alan Gow says the situation was poorly handled by the Red Bull pit wall.

"I think it backs up the theory that Red Bull are much more behind Max than they are behind Daniel," Gow told Motorsport TV.

"If I was [Red Bull team principal] Christian Horner I would have probably handled the situation a little bit better.

"Daniel was clearly quicker than Max, they should have made a call and said you go past him.

"Yes, they are both number ones, but you still have to manage each race as it comes and I don't think they managed that one at all."

Red Bull remain insistent that they will not impose team orders on Verstappen and Ricciardo at the Spanish Grand Prix.

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However, the situation could change if the pair come to blows again to such devastating effect again this season.

"If there is another crash, we will have to introduce team orders, although we are actually against it," Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko told Sport Bild.

"We got Max because of his speed and his aggressiveness. You have to live with the fact that sometimes sparks fly."