F1's governing body the FIA said that they are "not shy" to investigate a Sergio Perez crash which appeared to anger team-mate Max Verstappen.
During the final qualifying session at Monaco earlier this year Mexican driver Perez crashed into a wall before being hit by Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, resulting in the session being red flagged ahead of Verstappen's final lap.
Perez qualified fourth, a place ahead of his Red Bull team-mate, and went on to take grand prix victory the following day. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said that no complaint had been made about the crash but they were "not shy" to investigate.
"I didn't have anyone who said we want to investigate it from our side," Sulayem told the BBC. "But if there is something to be investigated, we are more than happy. I am not shy or afraid of going into it."
Verstappen's apparent anger over the Monaco crash was brought to light after he refused to allow Perez past him on the last lap at the Brazilian GP. The Dutch driver has already been crowned world champion so had nothing to race for sitting in sixth.
Meanwhile, his Red Bull team-mate is locked in a battle for second overall in the driver's championship with Charles Leclerc and an extra point in Brazil could have been vital in the outcome. On their team radio Verstappen was asked to concede his place to team-mate Perez but the Dutch driver refused.
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After the race, Verstappen was asked “what happened?” by his engineer? The two-time world champion replied: “I told you already last time. Guys, don’t ask that again to me. Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and I stand by it.”
Team boss Christian Horner apologised to Perez, who added fuel to the dispute by replying: “This shows who he really is.”
After the race Verstappen was repeatedly asked if his comment referred to the crash at Monaco with the Dutch driver refusing to deny the theory and then smiled when asked by Sky Sports.
Former F1 driver and Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle concluded that Verstappen was alluding to Perez’s crash during qualifying in Monaco earlier this year. The crash denied the Dutch driver the opportunity to set a faster lap time and take pole position.
After the Brazil GP, Dutch journalist Erik van Haren claimed that Perez admitted to Red Bull bosses Horner and Helmut Marko that he crashed on purpose in Monaco.
