Verstappen: 'Leave my family alone'

Max Verstappen has told the world of Formula One not to go after his family, describing social media abuse following last weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix as "unacceptable" and "disgusting".

Verstappen was criticised in Interlagos after he refused a Red Bull team order to yield sixth place to Sergio Perez on the last lap.

Red Bull issued a statement ahead of Sunday's concluding round in Abu Dhabi to display a united front, labelling "death threats", "hate mail and vitriol" aimed at members of the Red Bull team and their families as "deplorable".

Moments later, double world champion Verstappen, who was also penalised by the stewards in Brazil for crashing into Lewis Hamilton, addressed the media.

"All the things that I have read are pretty disgusting," said Verstappen. "After the last race, I looked very bad in the media, but they didn't have the clear picture.

"To immediately put me down like that is ridiculous. Even more than that, they started attacking my family, my sister, my mum, my girlfriend and my dad.

"When your own sister writes to you that it is getting way too much, that says enough. It gets to me because you cannot attack my family.

"For me, that goes way too far when you don't even have the facts of what actually was going on.

"And that definitely has to stop. If you have a problem with me, that is fine, but don't go after my family because that is just unacceptable."

Red Bull want Perez to secure second place in the championship, with the Mexican level on points with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc ahead of Sunday's concluding round at the Yas Marina Circuit.

But Verstappen, who was crowned champion with four races remaining at the Japanese Grand Prix in October, blamed a previous incident with his team-mate on his