Red Bull release statement after Verstappen and Perez receive threats

Red Bull have slammed the online abuse and death threats received by Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in the aftermath of last weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix in a strongly-worded statement. The closing stages of the race in Sao Paulo sparked plenty of controversy when Verstappen refused to comply with a team order to let Perez through in order to boost the Mexican driver’s hopes of beating Charles Leclerc to second place in this year’s Drivers’ Championship standings.

The incident was met with no shortage of post-race backlash on social media, with some users hurling abuse at both drivers after they expressed their frustrations via team radio on their way back to the pit lane. Red Bull released a lengthy statement on Thursday to condemn the unnecessary threats received by the Red Bull duo and their families, which read: “The events that followed from a social media point of view are completely unacceptable.

“The abusive online behaviour towards Max, Checo, the Team and their respective families is shocking and saddening and unfortunately is something that we as a sport are having to address with depressing regularity. There is no place for it in racing or society as a whole and we need to do and be better.

“At the end of the day this is a sport, we are here to race. Death threats, hate mail, vitriol towards extended family members is deplorable. We value inclusion and want a safe space for everyone to work in and enjoy our sport. The abuse needs to stop.”

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