F1 | Verstappen says rift resolved after F1 incident with Perez

Formula One champion Max Verstappen says he has resolved a conflict involving teammate Sergio Perez and is prepared help him at the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi

Formula One champion Max Verstappen says he has resolved a conflict involving Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez and is prepared to help him at the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen refused a team order to let Perez through for sixth place at the Brazilian Grand Prix last Sunday and said on Thursday his reasons will “stay between myself and the team.”

“It was about something that happened earlier in the season and I already explained that (at the previous race in) Mexico and the team understood and agreed,” he said.

“Nothing had been said to me about a potential swap” of the positions in advance in Brazil, he said. “I think they should have known my response already from what had been said the week before.”

Since then, Red Bull has held talks to clear the air between the drivers, Verstappen said.

He has long since wrapped up his second world championship and Red Bull has sealed the constructors’ title. The team wants to earn second place in the standings for Perez ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Verstappen indicated he would be willing to help in Sunday’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.

“As a team we have never finished first and second. So if we could achieve that, that would would be amazing,” Verstappen said “And, for sure, if the opportunity is there to help, as a team, you know, we’re going to do that.”