Christian Horner labelled Nico Rosberg "a critical kind of guy" as he baulked at the Sky Sports pundit's question after the Spanish Grand Prix.
Sergio Perez was the topic of their conversation. The Mexican had started 11th after a disappointing qualifying result the day before and, despite a slow start, managed to make his way up the order to finish fourth.
He admitted himself after the race that a spot on the podium was "possible", but he was beaten to it by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. The Mercedes pair joined winner Max Verstappen in the top three – the Dutchman led every lap from pole and also recorded the fastest lap to secure a third career Formula 1 grand slam.
"Checo lost out in the early laps," said Red Bull chief Horner of Perez's race. "He didn't have a great start, while George managed to get away with running off track, not getting a penalty from that. I think that was the difference at the end of the day.
"It was a good recovery from Checo, especially the second part of the race and I think that will give him a lot more confidence. Checo's race was getting stronger and stronger. That last stint in particular he was coming back very strong, but there were just not enough laps to fight for that podium."
But Rosberg was not buying that optimism. The German responded: "You were just saying he did a good race but I thought it was quite a lack of performance, especially during the early part of the race. Isn't that true? I mean, comparing to Max there were some laps where there was quite a gap."
Horner wore a smile which still did not mask his irritation as he clapped back at Rosberg: "You're a critical kind of guy, aren't you? You're tough on these guys. Now you're out of the car you have to criticise all the guys.
"I think that he [Perez] lost out in the early laps and didn't have a great start. George managed to get away with running off the track and not getting any penalty for that and I think that was the difference at the end of the day."
Russell defended his own actions over that incident Horner was referring to, claiming he had to drive off the track to avoid a collision with Nico Hulkenberg. And Sky's Anthony Davidson agreed with the decision not to give the Mercedes driver a penalty as he was "just ahead of the McLaren " of Oscar Piastri before he left the circuit.
