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Max Verstappen lost 50,000 Instagram followers after refusing to help Sergio Perez at Sao Paolo GP

Somin Bhattacharjee
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Max Verstappen lost 50,000 Instagram followers after refusing to help Sergio Perez at Sao Paolo GP

The 2022 Sao Paolo GP was full of excitement and controversy and Max Verstappen was at the center of most of it. His race did not go off to an ideal start after he had to pit for a new front wing following his shunt with old rival Lewis Hamilton. Despite falling down to the last position, Verstappen climbed his way back to 6th. That is when things started to go downhill for the 2022 World Champion.

Verstappen has already secured this season’s World Championship and Red Bull has the Constructors’ Title in the bag. In the Milton-Keynes-based outfit, only Sergio Perez has something to fight for. The Mexican driver is in a close battle for P2 in the Drivers’ Championship against Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Perez wanted Verstappen to let him through in Sao Paolo because if he finished P6, he would be ahead of Leclerc going into the final round. Red Bull asked the Dutchman to let Perez pass but he straight up refused. This angered Perez and millions of fans around the world. The entire F1 community labeled Verstappen’s act as petty and uncalled for.

Also read: “Attack Nicholas Latifi at Turn 10” – Valtteri Bottas schools Zhou Guanyu while driving at 190 Km/H

Fans slam Max Verstappen on social media as he loses a chunk of Instagram followers

Immediately after the race was over, Red Bull boss team principal Christian Horner apologized to Perez for Verstappen’s actions. The Guadalajara-born driver did not take it kindly and replied with, “It just shows who he really is.”

Unfortunately for Verstappen, most fans agree with Checo. In the aftermath of the Sao Paolo GP, Verstappen lost a total of 52,699 followers on Instagram! This is a massive number especially because the 25-year-old recently became a two-time World Champion.

Horner insists that Verstappen and Perez have shaken hands, but most people think that this won’t be easily resolved. The Red Bull boss was adamant that Verstappen will help Perez in any way possible at the season finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

Also read: Charles Leclerc to feature a special tribute helmet for 4-time World Champion’s final F1 race at Abu Dhabi

Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc head into season finale level on points

The memories of Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton heading into the 2021 season finale level on points are still fresh in the mind of F1 fans. This year, it’s Perez and Leclerc who travel to Abu Dhabi with 290 points a piece, but it’s for second place.

Despite the battle being for P2, it is expected to be intense. Ferrari desperately want to hold on the second place in the Constructors’ Championship and they have to finish above both Mercedes cars for that to happen. If Perez is thrown into the mix on Sunday as Leclerc’s rival, it’s going to be a tricky evening for the Monegasque and whole of Scuderia Ferrari.

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

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Formula 1 Editor Somin Bhattacharjee fell for the sport as well as Fernando Alonso on the same day — during the Spaniard’s thrilling victory at the German GP in 2010. Over the years, the passion magnified manyfold, and metamorphosed into a writing career in 2021. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. He has penned over 2,700 articles for TheSportsRush, presenting a diverse range — news reports, opinions, and exclusives. A true Tiffosi, Somin never gives up on a chance to defend the Ferrari boys as a fan. As a sports writer though, he remains objective to the core and relishes opportunities to follow and engage in dissecting the action during races. That’s where the real thrill lies for him. Beyond the racetrack, Somin plays different sports including soccer. He enjoys exploring other sporting events and proudly supports Spanish soccer club Real Madrid.

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