Perez free to fight Verstappen for F1 title after clearing Red Bull air

Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen on the podium in Spain — Photo: © LAT Images

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Perez free to fight Verstappen for F1 title after clearing Red Bull air

Perez was ordered to make way for Verstappen in Spain

Sam Hall

Friday 27 May 2022 12:45

Sergio Perez has confirmed it is "clear" Red Bull will allow him to fight team-mate Max Verstappen for race wins and the F1 title despite utilising team orders being implemented in Spain.

The Mexican left Barcelona frustrated after Red Bull instructed him to surrender the lead and usher through his champion team-mate for a third successive victory and the lead of this season's drivers' standings.

Following the race, Perez congratulated his team on the one-two result but warned the pit wall there would be a "need to speak later".

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Asked if these conversations had now taken place and if he had been reassured of his ability to fight Verstappen and not serve as only a wingman, Perez explained: "Yeah, it is fairly clear.

"They didn't need to say it but it was clear. On my side of the garage, it was clear and inside the team, yeah, otherwise I would not be here, so it is fairly clear.

"There is a great atmosphere at Red Bull. We have great momentum so it was a great team result and they made it clear that I have the full support of the team to see me winning."

Red Bull "could have done a better job

Although Red Bull ultimately left Spain with the maximum points haul possible, Perez remains adamant the team could have done a better job at managing his two-stop plan.

"Obviously, when you are in the car you only have certain information, the team has the wider picture," he added.

"And in the car at the time, it felt like we could have done a better job, especially in the second stint, giving us a better shot to do the two-stop strategy to see if it could work or not.

"But it was clear that the three-stop was the way forward and it was better to go that way.

"We spoke after the race and it was clear, and we all agree, we could have done a better job in that stint to give a better shot to both strategies to see which one worked.

"At the end of the day, it was clear that a three-stop was the way to go. We both agree, are on the same page and we move on."