Under-fire Sergio Perez, a Red Bull driver, has slammed the guy who is most likely to replace him next season for a “disrespectful” act during the Mexican Grand Prix.
Perez and RB rookie Liam Lawson, who took over for Daniel Ricciardo before of last weekend’s US Grand Prix, battled for 10th place early in the race.
It left Perez’s car with a broken floor and sidepod, significantly reducing downforce and making him considerably less competitive than he was previously. Both accused the other for the fight over team radio, with Perez calling Lawson a “idiot”.
Later in the race, Lawson was forced to pit for a new front wing following a separate incident with Franco Colapinto’s Williams.
Lawson again caught up to Perez in the closing circuits, and a combination of the damage to the local hero’s car, Lawson’s fresher tires, and the DRS allowed Lawson to easily pass down the long main straight.
But, when he passed Perez, Lawson couldn’t help but give him the one-finger salute.
They finished a lap behind in 16th and 17th place.
The stewards chose not to penalize any of the three drivers, much to Perez’s dismay.
“I believe he could have averted this incident. Luckily, I noticed him and opened the door; otherwise, there would have been a big crash,” he explained.
“There was no necessity. It harmed both of our races.
“I believe that was just a little too much. He did the same with Fernando and Franco at the end. And there are no fines.
Last weekend in Austin, Lawson aroused the ire of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso after colliding with him during the Sprint Race. Several pundits, notably Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle, thought that Alonso’s frustrations were unfounded.
Lawson accused Perez of driving him off the track, but admitted he regretted flipping his competitor the bird.
“He drove me off the track and then didn’t give me enough space, so it’s just unfortunate.” “I didn’t have anywhere to go,” Lawson explained.
“It’s one of those spontaneous things. He spent half the lap blocking me, attempting to destroy my race. I was upset.
“It is not an excuse; I should not have done it, and I apologize for it.
“It’s not in my character and not something that should be done.”
Lawson does not have a contract in 2025. Many feel he is on the grid as a test run for his candidacy to succeed Perez.
After finishing on the podium in four of the first six races, the Mexican has struggled since, with the best result being sixth. He has failed to score on five occasions and has less than half the points as his championship-leading partner.
In Mexico, he was a surprise elimination from the first round of qualifying and was fighting to make his way through the field until colliding with Lawson.
Perez stated that he had no relationship with the Kiwi, whom he believes does not “have the right attitude” to be in F1.
“The way he has come into Formula 1, I don’t think he has the right attitude for it,” he told me.
“He should be a bit more humble. When a two-time world champion (Alonso) said something last weekend, he just ignored it.
“When you come to Formula One, you’re obviously hungry, but you have to be courteous on and off the track, and I don’t think he’s displaying the proper mentality.
“I think he’s a great driver and I hope for him that he can step back and learn from it.”
The incident was termed as “tough racing” by team principal Christian Horner.
The Formula One season continues next weekend with the Brazilian Grand Prix, which will feature a sprint race on Sunday AM (AEDT).
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