What did Red Bull say via team radio? ‘Let Max have a shot…’
Perez was leading in Barcelona until he was ordered to let Verstappen through, who duly claimed a third consecutive F1 Grand Prix victory.
Perez made it clear via the team radio that he wasn’t thrilled - but Verstappen had clearly insisted that he should be given the priority.
- Here are the key team radio instructions that were not broadcast:
Verstappen, on lap nine, was approaching behind Perez, who was behind Mercedes’ George Russell. Perez was given one opportunity to overtake Russell…
Team radio talking to Perez: This is your chance, get it done.
Verstappen: I’m miles faster.
Team radio: OK Checo. Let Max have a shot. Let him through.
Perez: Give me one more lap.
Team radio talking to Perez: Let’s give [Max] a shot now. We’ll pay back later.
Perez: Copy.
Team radio: Thankyou.
Verstappen was unable to overtake Russell and, on lap 21, had an angry exchange on the team radio…
Team radio: Max, info: the DRS flap did not open after the last lap. Keep trying.
Team radio: OK Max, just so you are aware, DRS did work…
Team radio: DRS did not work…
Verstappen: Where is the f****** DRS!
Verstappen: You can’t even make a f***** DRS!
Team radio: Max, try pressing the DRS after your kerbing…
Team radio: Max, I think you may have closed it last time…
Verstappen: Because I’m pressing it 50 f****** times before it opens!
Team radio: Just try one button press after the kerb…
Perez implored Red Bull to allow him to take priority over Verstappen on lap 24…
Perez: Get me Max out of the way so I overtake quickly.
Team radio: Copy, Checo.
Perez: Why don’t you let me by? I have very fresh tyres. I can get by quickly.
Perez: We will compromise our race.
By lap 27, Perez is still urging Red Bull to prioritise him over Verstappen. Verstappen pitted and Perez overtook Russell…
Perez: Come on guys, let me by.
Team radio: You’ve still got fresh tyres, you’re going to get your shot.
Perez: I did help Max earlier, man, come on.
Team radio: We know.
Team radio: Let’s get him [Russell], let’s get him!
Verstappen: Am I racing someone?
Team radio: This is for the race lead, Leclerc has retired. Racing [Carlos Sainz].
The race is hotting up by lap 38 and Verstappen smells victory but Perez also hasn’t given up hope…
Verstappen: What tyres are they on?
Team radio to Verstappen: Both on medium tyres.
Perez: How far is Max?
Team radio to Perez: Max is 16 seconds ahead. His last lap a 26.5. But we’re doing a different race.
Red Bull gave instructions to aid Verstappen winning the F1 Spanish GP
With Verstappen heading into his final pitstop, Perez begins asking interesting questions…
Perez: How is the race looking? I need information.
Team radio to Perez: Russell’s last lap 27.3. Max did a 27.4. Sainz back in P5. Gap to Russell now six seconds.
Perez: And to Max?
Team radio to Perez: 16 seconds.
Verstappen goes in for his final pitstop…
Team radio to Perez: Okay Max has pitted, he’s going to slot in behind you.
Team radio to Perez: You’re on a different strategy to Max. If he’s quicker, we let him through.
Perez: That’s very unfair. But okay.
Team radio to Perez: Max is faster than us, we’re just bringing it home from here.
Team radio to Perez: Let Max through into turn one, let Max through into turn one.
Verstappen: My f****** DRS again!
Perez: OK I will let him through.
Verstappen: Thankyou mate.
Team radio: Both of you, bring it home from here.
Verstappen sealed his third consecutive F1 Grand Prix victory…
Team radio: Thank you for everything in that race.
Perez: I’m happy for the team. But we need to speak later.
Verstappen: Not an easy start to the race but we turned it around inthe end. A very good job also for the team. And also thank you to Checo - a great teammate.
Christian Horner to Verstappen: Well done mate. Very sorry about that DRS. I know we’ve made life a bit difficult for you. But you had great pace and great recovery after that moment. So a great one-two for the team.
Christian Horner to Perez: Well done, Checo. Thank you for that drive today, that was a very, very strong drive again so thank you for playing the team game.
Perez: No worries. We’ll speak later.
