Liam Lawson explains why he showed the middle finger to Sergio Perez during the F1 Mexican GP

Liam Lawson addressed the controversial incident from the recent Mexico City Grand Prix. The RB driver, who showed Sergio Perez his middle finger during the race, faced significant backlash. A day later, Lawson chose to publicly explain his actions.

The incident occurred when Lawson and Perez were involved in an on-track skirmish during the Mexican Grand Prix.

Perez and Lawson engaged in a fierce battle, making contact as neither driver was willing to yield track position. The intense fight began on Lap 17 and culminated in a collision on Lap 18.

Initially, Perez forced Lawson off the track. However, Lawson retaliated by leaving no room for Perez, pushing him wide. After several attempts to overtake, Lawson successfully passed the Red Bull driver and, in a moment of frustration, showed Perez the middle finger.

"It’s obviously one of those in the moment things, he spent half the lap blocking me trying to ruin my race. I was upset, but it’s not an excuse, I shouldn’t have done it and I apologise for that," Lawson told the media.

“I left the space into four, he was coming in very, very late. Honestly, I tried to give him space, he drove me off the track and then he didn’t give me space into turn five. It’s unfortunate, it wasn’t my intention, but I didn’t know where to go,” he added.

Ultimately, Sergio Perez finished the race in last place (P17), while Liam Lawson secured a position ahead of him (P16).

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Helmut Marko unhappy with Liam Lawson after his moves against Sergio Perez

Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Visa Cash App RB talks with Red Bull Racing's head of communications Paul Smith at the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico (Source: Getty Images)

Helmut Marko was reportedly unhappy after seeing Liam Lawson fighting hard for track positions against Sergio Perez. The Red Bull taskmaster was of the opinion that Red Bull and RB are sibling teams, suggesting that the drivers should avoid such intense battles.

"We are brother teams and Lawson should not drive as hard as he did. He reacted too strongly," Marko told the media. "Yes, he [Perez] had a coming together with Lawson which damaged his car. So for the whole Red Bull teams, it was not a very good weekend. Checo was also very upset with Lawson. So I think we have to sit down and discuss it here."

The whole Red Bull fraternity had a race weekend to forget in Mexico. Max Verstappen incurred a 20-second time penalty, Sergio Perez received an additional 5-second penalty, Yuki Tsunoda retired from the race, and Liam Lawson suffered front-wing damage in a collision with Williams' Franco Colapinto.