
Verstappen caught by surprise by Red Bull orders - Webber
F1 News
Verstappen caught by surprise by Red Bull orders - Webber

Mark Webber believes former team Red Bull's request for Max Verstappen to help Sergio Perez at the São Paulo Grand Prix caught the Dutchman "by surprise".
The two-time F1 champion initiated internal fracturing by refusing to comply with an order at the end of the race at Interlagos, stating the team knew the reasons why he was against the idea.
The scene led to accusations and questioning surrounding Perez's qualifying crash at the Monaco GP and overshadowed Red Bull's double championship celebrations at the end of the season.
It also remains to be seen what damage the issue has caused moving into the new campaign, with the likelihood that Ferrari and Mercedes will pose a much sterner challenge for Verstappen and Perez.
Speaking to Speedcafe, Webber - who experienced intra-team controversy with Red Bull alongside Sebastian Vettel - said: "Team principals are always managing dynamics between the drivers, and it is very easy to handle that when you're not battling for wins or championship position.
READ MORE...Verstappen retains key sponsor despite money-laundering controversy
"For the top four or top five, there's generally no real friction between the drivers and management have an easier ride on it.
"But obviously, when there's championships or championship positions at stake between the two drivers, the team principal goes on a journey, too - they haven't got all the answers.
"In our day, it was the first experience of it for Christian, Sebastian, myself and Red Bull itself. They were some challenging times, but that is the nature of the beast."
On the Brazilian incident, Webber added: "In hindsight, there are decisions that you could do differently and better for the team or one driver in particular, but the sport is brilliant at 'hindsight problems', making sure they scrutinise everyone making decisions.
"They can't press the pause button in the middle of the race. The communication with Max in Brazil seemed to surprise him somewhat.
"It was dealt with internally post-race. Trying to talk to the driver with the helmet on in the last laps of the race to try and get the full picture of what was going on is not always easy.
"Not always does the media need to know either. There are some things that should remain private within the teams."
Related news

Horner fears F1 2024 regulations could END Red Bull dominance

Ricciardo admits 'perfect end' to F1 career means LEAVING team

Horner details Perez's mentality problem in Verstappen battle

Horner details major F1 hurdle causing nervous wait for Red Bull
Most read

Surprise F1 name tipped to partner Verstappen at Red Bull

Hamilton hits waves with Ferrari rival as F1 stars pictured on break

F1 News Today: Wolff brutally plays down huge Mercedes decision as Perez raises alarm over employee welfare

F1 News Today: Verstappen makes Ricciardo accusation as Horner issues worrying Mercedes verdict

F1 News Today: F1 star dishes DIRT on rivals as Wolff hits back at 'INSULTING' allegation
F1 Standings

Drivers
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Nyck De Vries
- Liam Lawson
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
-
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2023
-
Grand Prix of China 2023
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
-
Miami Grand Prix 2023
-
Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
-
Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
-
AWS Gran Premio de España 2023
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2023
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2023
-
Aramco Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
-
Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2023
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2023
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2023
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
-
Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023
-
Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media

7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860