Liam Lawson apologizes for rude Formula 1 gesture

Kiwi Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson has publicly apologized to Sergio Perez after gesturing at the Red Bull driver during the race. the Mexican Grand Prix.

TV replays showed Lawson raising his middle finger as he overtook Perez. The incident occurred after a collision between the pair on lap 19, causing damage to Perez’s car.

Lawson, 22, said he should not have gestured at Perez.

“It’s obviously one of those moment things. He blocked me for half the lap to ruin my race,” Lawson told reporters after the race.

“I was angry, but it’s no excuse. I shouldn’t have done it and for that I apologize.”

Lawson said the incident occurred as a result of the earlier collision.

“I left the space in turn four, he came in very, very late.

“To be honest, I tried to give him space. He drove me off the track and then he didn’t give me space in turn five. It’s a shame, it wasn’t my intention, but I didn’t know where to go.”

The two are seen as rivals for a Red Bull seat next year. Perez, who is under pressure to maintain his position after a disappointing season so far, was crucial after the race about Lawson’s attitude.

“He was out of bounds and just came straight as if there was no car there. I think he could have avoided the incident. Luckily I saw him and cleared space. Otherwise it would have been a huge crash.

“That wasn’t necessary. We damaged both our races.”

He also referred to a similar incident with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso at last week’s US Grand Prix and also with Williams’ Franco Colapinto later in the Mexican race, Reuters reported.

“He did the same thing to Fernando, ultimately to Franco and there are no penalties, so none of his fault.

“I don’t think he has the right attitude for it, given the way he came to Formula 1. He needs to be a bit more modest,” Perez said.

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko was not happy with Lawson’s actions.

“(It was) an unnecessary collision, for which I think Lawson is more to blame,” he told broadcaster ORF.

Autosport reported that when asked if it was okay for Lawson to stick out his elbows, Marko replied: “If it had been someone else, yes. But not the sister team.”

Lawson accepted the criticism.

“I don’t think Helmut likes that,” he said. “It’s out of character, not something you should do.”

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