New world champion Max Verstappen has advised Nicholas Latifi to “turn off his phone”. After the highly controversial chequered flag flew in Abu Dhabi last Sunday, Christian Horner offered Canadian Latifi a “lifetime supply of Red Bull” for crashing and triggering the championship-altering late safety car. “Obviously it was never my intention to inadvertently influence the championship,” the 26-year-old driver said. “I can only apologise for influencing and creating an opportunity, but again – I made a mistake,” Latifi added. Before Sunday’s explosive 2021 finale, Red Bull boss Dr Helmut Marko said Verstappen was handling the intense pressure of the championship battle by avoiding the press and social media.

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