Red Bull Racing is facing significant backlash following a dramatic incident at the 2024 Mexico Grand Prix, which has sparked controversy among fans and the motorsport community alike.

The event unfolded during the final laps of the race, where Red Bull’s lead driver, Max Verstappen, found himself at the center of a heated exchange with team principal Christian Horner. Verstappen, who had dominated the race up until that point, was asked to hold position despite his clear advantage on the track, igniting a public dispute.

Many fans were upset by the team’s decision to prioritize team orders over Verstappen’s chance to claim a victory in front of a passionate Mexican crowd. The tension reached a boiling point when Verstappen was instructed to conserve his pace, handing the race win to his teammate, Sergio Pérez, who had been struggling to keep up throughout the race.

The incident quickly became a hot topic on social media, with critics accusing Red Bull of undermining Verstappen’s achievements for the sake of Pérez, even though the team had already secured the Constructors’ Championship. Fans, particularly Verstappen’s supporters, voiced their frustration, feeling that the team had disregarded their driver’s individual success in favor of politics and public relations.

In addition, the atmosphere at the Mexico GP, which had been filled with enthusiastic support for Verstappen, only added fuel to the fire. The decision to allow Pérez to win — his first of the season — while Verstappen was denied the chance to make history, left many questioning Red Bull’s handling of the situation. Some critics are even calling for a reevaluation of team dynamics and strategy going forward.

The controversy has also drawn the attention of Formula 1 pundits, who have noted that the incident could have long-term implications for Red Bull’s internal cohesion. With Verstappen’s dominance in the sport and Pérez’s fluctuating performance, the team will need to address these tensions to maintain morale and harmony for the remainder of the season.

As the dust settles from this explosive race, Red Bull finds itself in the midst of a crisis of perception. Whether the team can recover from this backlash and restore fan trust remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the Mexico GP has added another layer of complexity to the already intense world of Formula 1 racing.