Max Verstappen ignored team orders at the end of the Brazilian Grand Prix, having been told to give his position back to Sergio Perez at the end of the race. Perez had been slow on old tyres after a late Safety Car, tumbling down the order having restarted in third place. The Mexican was subsequently told not to race Verstappen, who was climbing back through the order after earlier contact with Lewis Hamilton. Red Bull told Perez to let Verstappen through to P6 so he could challenge Alonso for P5, but if he didn't get past to give back the position. At the chequered flag Verstappen stayed ahead, prompting a rather awkward team radio exchange: Engineer: "Don't worry about the DRS Max, let Checo through.... Max, let Checo through please." Verstappen: "I told you already last time, you guys don't ask that again to me. Okay, are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I stand by it." After the race, Perez retorted that Verstappen had "shown who he really is."
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