“There are no penalties for his fault”: Sergio Perez lashes out at Liam Lawson following Mexican GP altercation

Sergio Perez blamed Liam Lawson for damaging both their races in the 2024 Mexican GP. Speaking to media, including Sportskeeda, after the race, the Red Bull driver expressed disappointment with the VCARB driver’s maneuver that damaged his car.

On lap 17, Perez and Lawson tussled wheel-to-wheel at Turn 4, with both adopting an aggressive approach that led to contact. As a result, Perez’s Red Bull suffered significant damage in its sidepod, causing him to lose downforce and drop down the order, ultimately finishing 17th. Both drivers exchanged heated radio messages, each blaming the other for the incident.

Starting 18th on the grid, Perez had climbed to P11 by lap 17 and was poised to finish higher. However, his clash with Lawson dashed his hopes of a strong result in front of his home crowd. Perez believed there was enough room for Lawson to make a safer move and was surprised the incident didn’t result in a penalty.

The Mexican also referenced Lawson’s previous clashes, including one with Fernando Alonso in Austin and another with Franco Colapinto at the end of the Mexican GP, where Lawson clipped his wing, trying to overtake the Argentinian. Perez sarcastically added that it wasn’t the 22-year-old’s fault since he had gone unpenalized.

Asked by Sportskeeda about the race and his incident with Lawson, Sergio Perez said:

“It was looking good. We were already up to P10. I had the manoeuvre to turn 4 and then he was outside the track and just came straight. Like if there was no car, you know, I think he could have avoided the incident but he just went back. Luckily I saw him and I opened the room. Otherwise, it would have been a massive crash. There was no need, he damaged both of our races. Yeah, I think it was just a little bit too much, but I don't think it's his fault. He's not getting any penalties as well. You know, he did the same with Fernando, with Franco in the end and there are no penalties. So no none of his fault as well.”

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Sergio Perez reckons Liam Lawson doesn’t have the right attitude for Formula 1

Sergio Perez felt that Liam Lawson needed to adjust his attitude if he wanted to make a case for himself in Formula 1. Perez criticized the VCARB driver for dismissing Fernando Alonso’s views the previous weekend, suggesting that such behavior wasn’t the best way to approach his debut in the sport.

The Mexican driver remarked that Lawson lacked respect for his peers, both on and off the track. During the race, Perez called Lawson an idiot over the radio, and Lawson responded by showing him the middle finger after overtaking him for 16th place on the final lap.

The pair later exchanged words in the pitlane before addressing the media. Perez made it clear that he didn’t have any relationship with Red Bull’s junior team recruit. When speaking to the press, including Sportskeeda, Lawson apologized for the gesture and expressed regret for the incident.

Asked what his relationship was like with Lawson given his gesture on track and heated team radios, Sergio Perez said:

“I think I don't have any relationship with him. I think the way he has come to Formula 1. I don't think he has the right attitude for it. He needs to be a bit more humble you know. When two time world champion was saying things last weekend, he completely ignored him. And it's like when you come to Formula 1, you're obviously very hungry and so on, but you have to be as well respectful of track and on track. I don't think he's showing the right attitude to show a good case for himself. Because I think he's a great driver and I hope for him that he can step back and learn from it.”

With his future under scrutiny after poor performances in the U.S. and Mexico, Sergio Perez urgently needs a strong weekend to turn things around. While Liam Lawson was brought in as a potential replacement for 2025 or beyond, the recent incident hasn’t helped the Kiwi driver’s case either.

The six-time Grand Prix winner currently sits eighth in the drivers’ standings with 150 points after 20 races, trailing teammate Max Verstappen by 212 points. In the constructors’ championship, Red Bull has slipped to third, now 24 points behind Ferrari and 54 behind McLaren.