Max Verstappen must be ‘extra GRACIOUS’ in defeat, claims 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, after the Dutchman sulked over ending behind team-mate Sergio Perez in Saudi Arabia
- Max Verstappen completed second in Saudi Arabia, behind his Purple Bull team-mate
- He was annoyed on the chequered flag however has now been informed to be ‘gracious’
- Nico Rosberg is aware of a factor or two about inter-team battles from his time in F1
Nico Rosberg has taken a swipe at Max Verstappen and has informed the Dutchman to be ‘extra gracious’ in defeat after he griped at ending second in Saudi Arabia.
Defending world champion Verstappen began fifteenth in Jeddah after a mechanical difficulty in qualifying, solely to recuperate by way of the assistance of some well timed security vehicles to complete runner-up to his Purple Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.
There was then a very awkward moment after the race the place Perez discovered Verstappen had nabbed the quickest lap further level – and eyebrows had been additionally raised at Jos Verstappen, Max’s dad, refusing to acknowledge Perez during celebrations on the flag.
‘I recovered to second which is nice and basically the entire feeling within the crew is glad,’ Verstappen stated afterwards.
‘However personally I’m not glad. I’m not right here to be second, particularly when you find yourself working very exhausting again on the manufacturing facility to return right here in state and ensuring all the pieces is spot on.’
Max Verstappen (left) was sad at ending second behind team-mate Sergio Perez (proper)
Nico Rosberg (left), who gained the 2016 title, has informed Verstappen to be ‘extra gracious’ in defeat
He went on so as to add: ‘When you’re preventing for a championship and it seems to be like it’s simply between two vehicles [Verstappen and Perez] you must ensure that the 2 vehicles are dependable.
‘We’ve got to do higher, completely – a cleaner weekend can be good.’
These phrases didn’t sit nicely with Rosberg, himself a former F1 world champion, in any respect.
‘It isn’t good to see,’ Rosberg, who gained the world championship in 2016, informed Sky Sports activities.
‘We had been additionally informed he skipped the crew assembly [on Saturday] apparently.
‘I do not assume it is a good strategy or mentality so early within the season when the crew has finished such a superb job and labored so exhausting. I believe he might be extra gracious.’
Rosberg is aware of nicely how it’s to battle with a team-mate for supremacy as his closing season within the sport, wherein he gained the title, noticed him duel with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Verstappen towards Perez feels just like the match-up to look at this season with the RB19 automobile up to now forward of everybody else in race tempo.
Whereas Verstappen is the defacto No 1 driver within the crew, Perez is a ferocious competitor and after two races they every have one win and one second-placed end.
Jos Verstappen (left) stared into the space whereas Perez celebrated his Saudi Grand Prix win
‘Within the cooldown room after the race, there was nonetheless friction between the 2 drivers,’ Sky Sports’ David Croft said.
‘Checo [Perez] was not a cheerful man at being requested to do goal lap occasions that had been slower than his team-mate.
‘Perez is within the final 12 months of his contract and if there are not any indicators of one other deal coming, what’s in it for Sergio to assist his team-mate in the way in which Purple Bull would really like? I believe there are a couple of banana skins down the street.’
Verstappen presently leads the motive force standings on 44 factors, with Perez one adrift with 43.
