Christian Horner revealed that Red Bull requested the Canadian Grand Prix race director to watch out for any “gamesmanship” aimed at Max Verstappen by Formula 1 rivals.
The reigning four-time world champion is close to a race ban due to penalty points from clashes in recent races, including one at the Spanish Grand Prix and another with George Russell in Montreal.
During the race in Montreal, tensions rose again between Verstappen and Russell, with the latter starting from pole and the former in second place.
Verstappen accused Russell over team radio of braking too aggressively and falling back more than the allowed distance behind the safety car, leading to a post-race protest by Red Bull against Russell.
Horner clarified that Red Bull had warned the race director about the possibility of rivals trying to provoke Verstappen into situations that could earn him more penalty points.
Despite Russell and Mercedes eventually celebrating the victory, the protest by Red Bull was lodged independently from any input by Verstappen himself.
