2 weeks Ago
Feuds between rivals drivers reached boiling points during the Mexico City Grand Prix as Liam Lawson showed Sergio Perez the middle finger mid-race after they collided. The incident caused significant damage to Perez’s car - but no penalty was given - to cap off a poor home race for the Mexican after he was eliminated at the first phase of qualifying before finishing 17th. Every qualifying session and race from the 2024 FIA Formula One World ChampionshipTM LIVE in 4K.
New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Lawson, who replaced Australian Daniel Riccardo on Red Bull’s secondary team, is gunning for Perez’s place on the primary Red Bull team alongside championship leader Max Verstappen - who was also embroiled in a controversy of his own as he was handed two 10-second penalties for twice pushing title rival Lando Norris off the track.
The tension between them played out on the track as Lawson was called an “idiot” by Perez on the team radio, while camera footage from on-board the New Zealander’s VCARB machine showed Lawson flipping Perez ‘the bird’ as he overtook him down the straight. Lawson finished only one place better than Perez despite being among the top 10 for much of the race. His car was damaged in another tangle and post-race he admitted his efforts may have hurt his chances of getting the Red Bull seat for next year, but he had cooled down after the incident.
“I gave him space in turn two and he carried a lot of speed to two, more than I was expecting, and I tried to get out of it but caught his rear wheel. It’s not really his fault, just a clumsy incident,” Lawson said. Perez meanwhile was still seething post-race.
Under pressure to keep his place, the 34-year-old was desperate for a good showing in front of his home fans and did not hide his frustrations with Lawson. “I don’t get it. He just went for the incident, damaging both of our races and then I picked up massive damage on the side, and it was game over,” Perez said.
“It was an incident that was totally avoidable. There was no need. It was lap 11.
We were in a great position (on the) hard tyre. I had the corner and he just went off the track completely and just went straight. I was quite surprised to see him there and that point it was just too late.
” When asked if he had any concerns about this race potentially being his last in his home country, Perez replied that he had “zero” worries. “I will be here next year and I will try to go for the victory because that is my dream,” he said..
