Sergio Perez lashes out at Liam Lawson

VCARB driver Liam Lawson is under fire from Red Bull’s Sergio Perez after the two drivers collided in turns 4 and 5 of lap 18 and made contact during the Mexican Grand Prix. The incident proved to be a significant setback in the race for both drivers, but Perez has pointed to the newcomer’s behavior since his official debut in 2024 at last weekend’s United States Grand Prix, suggesting this was not the “right attitude for the F1”.

The meeting between Perez and Lawson took place as they battled for the final points position, with Lawson in 10th place. Perez attempted to overtake Lawson and pushed Lawson away, but the 22-year-old maintained his pace and stayed alongside through the turn of Turn 5. This resulted in significant contact, damaging Perez’s floor and sidepod, affecting his downforce seriously affected.

The incident compounded Perez’s problems after he started from the back due to a disastrous qualifying session and a five-second penalty for being outside his grid position. Frustrated, Perez branded Lawson an “idiot.” Ultimately, Lawson finished 16th and Perez secured 17th position.

Complicating matters further was Lawson’s showing of the middle finger as he overtook Perez on the long straight. Although he eventually apologized for an act carried out in the heat of the moment, Perez was furious that the New Zealander was not given any penalty points, despite being in a similar position to Fernando Alonso last weekend. Perez told the media:

“I had the maneuver in Turn 4 and then he was out of the track and just came straight as if there was no car.

I think he could have avoided the incident, but he just went back. Luckily I saw him and opened the room, otherwise it would have been a huge crash. That wasn’t necessary. We damaged both our races. It was a little bit. too many.

“He doesn’t get any penalties either. He did the same with Fernando, and finally with Franco (Colapinto). There are no penalties, so this isn’t his fault either.”

Despite Lawson racing for Red Bull’s junior team, Perez strongly insisted he had no relationship with him. He also warned the young talent to get his act right as “Formula 1 is a cutthroat world” where he may not find a place in the future. He said:

“I don’t have any relationship with him. I think, given the way he came to Formula 1, he doesn’t have the right attitude for it. He needs to be a bit more modest.

“When a two-time world champion said things last weekend, he completely ignored him. It’s like coming to Formula 1, you’re obviously very hungry and so on, but you also have to be respectful, off the track and on course.

“I don’t think he has the right attitude. I think he is a great driver and I hope for his sake that he can take a step back and learn from it.

“During his first two Grands Prix he had many incidents. I think there will come a point where it will cost him too much, as it did this weekend.

“I just think he has to have the right attitude to say: ‘Look, I’m probably exaggerating a bit, I’ll take a step back and start again’. Because if you don’t learn from your mistakes, Formula 1 will be a ruthless world and maybe he won’t continue with it.”

When Perez was asked if Lawson’s aggressive race against him had any bearing on the fact that he could be his potential replacement, he responded by citing examples:

“Well, he almost crashed with Fernando last weekend, he almost crashed with Franco. I think he’s out of control of everyone at the moment.”