Verstappen, Red Bull show unity

After a public rift, a display of team unity at Red Bull. A week after Formula One champion Max Verstappen refused the team’s order to yield sixth place to Perez in the Brazilian Grand Prix — Verstappen has still not explained exactly why — the Dutch driver led Perez out onto the final lap of qualifying with a slipstream at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Verstappen qualified first on Saturday, with Perez second, and both drivers praised the virtues of teamwork. Red Bull has already secured the drivers’ title for Verstappen and the constructors’ title as best team. Red Bull says its aim for Sunday’s race is to secure second place in the drivers’ standings for Perez ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to underline a dominant season. A win for Verstappen would be his 15th of the season, extending the record he set in Mexico City last month. “Very pleased for (pole position) and very happy that both cars are on the front row because we want to win the race but we also want to finish second with Checo (Perez) in the championship so that’s definitely a great start for tomorrow,” he said.