Liam Lawson was caught showing the middle finger to Sergio Perez as the Formula 1 rivals battled at over 200mph at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz won Sunday’s race from pole while Lando Norris managed to close the gap to championship leader Max Verstappen after the latter was penalised for twice forcing his rival off the track.
But there was plenty of drama further down the order too, as Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Perez was involved with several scraps with the RB of Lawson.
The pair made contact as home favourite Perez attempted an overtake on lap 18, with the resulting damage to the Mexican’s car ruining his race and he eventually trundled home in 17th and last of the finishers.
‘What the f**k is this idiot doing? Is he okay?’ Perez shouted over the radio in the aftermath of the incident.
Lawson was clearly irked as well, and later in the race he made his feelings clear as he passed Perez down the main straight where cars hit speeds of up to 217mph.
As he went by, the onboard camera clearly picked up the Kiwi sticking up his right hand and giving his rival the middle finger.
What did Liam Lawson and Sergio Perez say about the incident?
Lawson, who finished the race in 16th after a late tangle with the Williams of Franco Colapinto, would later apologise for his conduct, saying: ‘It’s obviously one of those in-the-moment things that you know he spent half the lap blocking me, trying to ruin my race, so I was upset.
‘But it’s not an excuse. I shouldn’t have done it, and I have now apologised for that. It’s not my character, not something I should have done.’
But the 22-year-old made no such apology for the collision that lead to the middle finger itself, adding: ‘I left him space into Turn Four. He was coming in very, very late, and honestly, I tried to give him space.
‘He drove me off the track, and then he didn’t give me space since Turn Five. So, you know, it’s just unfortunate. It wasn’t my intention but I don’t know where he where he wanted me to go.’
Perez did not see it that way however and slammed his rival over the middle finger, fuming: ‘He was outside the track and just came in straight like there was no car.
‘I think he could have avoided the incident. Luckily I saw him and I opened the room, otherwise it would have been a massive crash.
‘I do not have any relationship with him. The way he has come into Formula 1, I do not think he has the right attitude for it. He needs to be a bit more humble.
‘When you come to Formula 1, you are obviously very hungry but you have to be respectful on track and off track and I do not think he is showing the right attitude. I think he is a great driver and I hope for him that he can step back and learn from it.’
Why are tensions high between Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson?
Tensions are set to be high between Lawson and Perez with the former widely tipped to replace the latter at Red Bull next season if he impresses in the final few races of the year.
Perez’s form has been shocking over the past few months which has contributed massively to Red Bull’s drop to third in the constructors’ standings despite Verstappen leading the drivers’ championship.
Though the 34-year-old extended his contract to at least the end of 2025 earlier this year, all signs point to the reigning champions promoting Red Bull junior Lawson to his seat, which could well end Perez’s F1 career.
Both Perez and Lawson will be hoping to impress at the next race in Brazil this weekend.
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