‘Agreement for Verstappen to let Perez win’- Wild Red Bull theory shared
Perez fended off his recovering teammate Max Verstappen to secure another easy Red Bull one-two in Jeddah but tension emerged between the two over a fight for the fastest lap.
Verstappen nicked the fastest lap away from Perez on the final tour to maintain a one-point lead over his teammate in the early championship standings.
Jordan has shared his theory on what he thinks was ultimately an orchestrated victory for Perez.
“I'm a bit concerned because under normal circumstances, Max Verstappen would have won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix,” he told OLBG.
“I think there was an agreement to let Sergio Perez win the race if he had pole and led the race the whole time.
“What would happen to the team if they didn't let Perez win? I was Checo, I would not have let Verstappen pass. I think it was agreed that if Verstappen made it to second and Perez was still first, he would let him win the race.
“Was I surprised to hear Verstappen complain about a driveshaft? No. If you have 15 laps to go and there's a problem with the driveshaft, then it's going to break, and you heard the engineers say to Verstappen that the car was fine and under control, I think there was a message there.
“I'm probably trying to see behind-the-scenes, but I think Verstappen would have won the race if he was allowed to fight for it.”
Red Bull had to manage an internal team orders row that erupted between Verstappen and Perez last year in Brazil and Jordan reckons the team are desperate to avoid a repeat.
“I don't think Max Verstappen thinks like that but I think Red Bull do,” he continued.
“It's the same situation that I had with Ralf Schumacher and Damon Hill in the Jordan era. I had to tell Schumacher to not pass Hill even though he was the quicker driver, and Hill made it very clear that if Schumacher tried to pass he would fight to keep his position.
“I remember thinking what is the point in that because they finished first and second, the team is the most important aspect and the team should not be taking sides with drivers.
“The Red Bulls have had a perfect start with both drivers finishing first and second in the first two races and they can both compete for the world championship.”
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
