Lawson apologises to Perez for middle finger in Mexico GP

Liam Lawson has issued an apology to Sergio Perez after giving him the middle finger during their battle at the Mexico City Grand Prix, admitting “it was in the moment, but it’s not an excuse”.

The frantic start of the 71-lap Grand Prix brought the intra-team rivals within heated proximity of one another, with Lawson and Perez soon finding themselves battling it out for the final points position.

Their duel came early in the race, meaning from Lap 18 onwards, it was an uphill battle for both drivers to make it to the finish line. 

The two rivalling drivers charged into Turn 4, with Perez overshooting his attack and forcing Lawson to run wide. 

It was a similar situation as they rounded Turn 5, however, roles were reversed and it was the Red Bull driver who was forced off the circuit.

Spraying aero details across the circuit, it was Perez’s RB20 that came off worse for wear, with the home racer forced to continue the remainder of the race with damage to his floor and a hole in his sidepod.

“I gave him space in Turn 4,” Lawson said. 

“He was coming in super far back and super late, so I knew he would try a lunge.

“I gave him space, he drove me off the track, and then into Turn 5, I’m trying to turn as much as I can, but he’s again, turned in and not given me space.

“It wasn’t my intention to, obviously have an incident, but I did try and leave space in Turn 4. 

“I would have thought he would leave me space in Turn 5, but obviously not.”

Liam Lawson flips Sergio Perez the bird after overtaking him at the Mexican GP. Image: F1TV.

Lawson sped off down the road leaving behind the wounded Mexican driver, however, it wasn’t the last time the Kiwi would come face-to-face with Perez, forced to overtake him after his pitstop on Lap 39.

Given the damage and tyre deficit, it was an easy, DRS-assisted move down the main straight for Lawson after he says the Mexican held him up for half-a-lap — one that usually wouldn’t have gained so much media attention until onboard cameras picked up the Kiwi driver flipping the bird mid-overtake to Perez.

Having settled since yesterday’s fiery outing, Lawson issued an apology to Perez, condemning his heat-of-the-moment emotions for the subtle outburst at his fellow Red Bull family member.

“I was obviously in the moment upset, he blocked me for half-a-lap to obviously try and ruin my race,” Lawson said. 

“But honestly, I shouldn’t have done it, and I apologise because it’s not something we should do. 

“It was in the moment, but it’s not an excuse.”

Image: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

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