I suspect he was losing until 10 minutes to go, but then contacted whoever was running the show and got them to change the rules at the death to ensure he won.
Some say the knives are out and this is temporary so it's just a matter of settling the package.
It'll doubtless become a 'distraction' leading to a 'stepping down' so THE TEAM can concentrate on their job of keeping Perez sweet and behind Verstappen.