What did Red Bull say via team radio? ‘Let Max have a shot…’

Red Bull’s team instructions to allow Max Verstappen to pass Sergio Perez en route to winning the F1 Spanish Grand Prix are sure to spill over into Monaco this weekend.
(L to R): Sergio Perez (MEX)
(L to R): Sergio Perez (MEX)

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.

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 6, Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona, Spain, Race
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18. Formula 1 World Championship,…

  • 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.

The podium: Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing, second; Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing, race winner; George Russell
The podium: Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing, second; Max Verstappen …

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…

The podium (L to R): Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing, second; Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing, race winner; George
The podium (L to R): Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing, second; Max…

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.

Race winner Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 6, Spanish
Race winner Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme…

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].

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 6, Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona, Spain, Race
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18. Formula 1 World Championship,…

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.

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