Max Verstappen goes nuclear after George Russell wins Brazil Grand Prix

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen blew a gasket at his own team after being asked to comply with team orders.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 11: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on in the garage during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 11, 2022 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

George Russell has claimed his first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix victory after holding off teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Russell joined Mercedes ahead of the 2022 season and has come close to standing atop the podium multiple times, but on Monday it was his day.

The Brazilian Grand Prix once again produced plenty of highlights with pure carnage unfolding throughout the opening laps.

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Daniel Ricciardo's day came to an end on the first lap after he hit the back of Kevin Magnussen, knocking him out of the race. Out in front Russell avoided the chaos and drove a brilliant race to secure his first taste of F1 victory.

Despite not being in the podium hunt, there was major Red Bull drama with Max Verstappen ordered by the team to let Sergio Perez past on the final lap of the race. Verstappen refused and crossed ahead of his teammate.

Perez is locked in a tense battle with Leclerc for second in the drivers standings, all tied up on 290, and the added points would have been a big boost. A frosty exchange unfolded after the race with Verstappen providing a blunt response for holding his  spot.

"Max, let Checo through please... Max, what happened?" Christian Horner said over the radio.

Verstappen responded: "I told you already last time, you guys don't ask that again to me, OK? Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I stand by it."

After crossing the line, Perez had a simple response to Verstappen failing to comply: "It shows who he really is".

As he made his way into the paddock Perez was even more dumbfounded and didn't hide his anger at his teammates' decision making.

"I don’t understand why he didn’t give me the position, even with everything I have done for him. If he has two titles, it's because of my help!” Perez said.

Red Bull boss Helmut Marko said the team had cleared the air internally and Max's focus at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi would be centred around helping Perez claim second place in the standings.

"At Abu Dhabi Max will do everything possible for Checo to get 2nd place in the drivers championship. Everything is cleared up internally. That's the goal for Abu Dhabi," Marko said.

So... Sergio's been a superb wingman for two seasons, Max Verstappen is already the champion and doesn't need the points, but Checo does for a better shot at placing 2nd in the title race... yet his teammate can't return the favor? Sounds a bit ridiculous to me. #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/et2cB7UqIz

— Naveen Ganglani (@naveenganglani) November 13, 2022

Fans couldn't believe what they'd seen unfold and the disregard the back-to-back world champion showed to his own team.

F1 presenter Matt Gallagher wrote: "Why should Perez ever help Verstappen again after that radio message." 

ESPN's Nate Saunders wrote: "Absolutely no doubts now about the power dynamics at Red Bull with Verstappen-Perez."

One fan wrote: "Max Verstappen has to be one of the most unlikable athletes on the planet."

BRAZIL GRAND PRIX RESULTS

1: George Russell - 2: Lewis Hamilton

3: Carlos Sainz - 4: Charles Leclerc

5: Fernando Alonso - 6: Max Verstappen 

7: Sergio Perez - 8: Esteban Ocon

9: Valtteri Bottas - 10: Lance Stroll

11: Sebastian Vettel - 12: Pierre Gasly

13: Zhou Guanyu - 14: Mick Schumacher

15: Alex Albon - 16: Nicholas Latifi

17: Yuki Tsunoda

DNF: Lando Norris, Kevin Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo