Red Bull accused of "zero sportsmanship" and Perez "dirty tactics" against Hamilton

Former F1 driver Sebastian Bourdais has launched a scathing attack on Red Bull's tactics during the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen emerged from an enthralling season-long battle with Lewis Hamilton as world champion after taking advantage of a controversial safety car period late in the race at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Earlier in the grand prix, leader Hamilton had made his pit stop and rejoined behind an out-of-sync Sergio Perez, with Red Bull extending the Mexican's stint to act as an effective roadblock.

Verstappen's team-mate defended aggressively and even made his way back through on the Mercedes, costing Hamilton around seven seconds of time.

F1 broadcaster Will Buxton had tweeted that Perez delivered an "incredible piece of defensive driving" but in reply former Toro Rosso driver Bourdais was less than impressed.

"I thought you loved racing, that was BS," said the Frenchman.

"I can't begin to understand how Perez can be happy with himself and how people applaud him for what he did.

"Purposely slowing down and using every dirty trick to impede Hamilton. Zero sportsmanship, from the whole team really.

"They completely sacrificed Perez's race to put him in that position. Losing purposely seconds per lap to impede, look again... He wasn't trying to stay ahead but only slowing Lewis as much time as possible."

I thought you loved racing, that was BS. I can't begin to understand how Perez can be happy with himself and how people applaud him for what he did.
Purposely slowing down and using every dirty trick to impede Hamilton. Zero sportsmanship, from the whole team really.

— Sébastien Bourdais (@BourdaisOnTrack) December 14, 2021

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