F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia - Image Source: Getty
During the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen defied team orders to set the fastest lap time, earning an extra point that kept his teammate Sergio Perez from gaining the lead in the championship race. In a heated radio exchange, he said he cares about the extra point, ignoring his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase's caution.
Red Bull registered a dominant season, winning 21 of the 22 races. Verstappen won 19, with Perez settling with two victories. However, in the first half, the battle for the championship was fiercer, leading to heated moments.
One such incident unfolded on March 19, 2023, during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Perez was leading the race, with Verstappen chasing his teammate from P2. During laps 35-40, the Dutch driver reported issues with the driveshaft, whereas Perez also flagged concerns over his brakes.
