Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez has voiced strong criticism of Liam Lawson’s attitude following their on-track collision during the Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix. The incident occurred on lap 19 when Perez attempted to overtake Lawson at Turn 4.
As Perez positioned himself ahead of the apex to claim the corner, Lawson maintained his pace, resulting in a clash that damaged both cars. The collision caused a portion of Perez’s floor and sidepod to sustain damage, affecting his downforce and further complicating an already challenging race. Starting from the back due to a disappointing qualifying session, Perez had also incurred a five-second penalty for mispositioning on the grid.
Adding to Perez’s frustration, Lawson later overtook him on the straight while gesturing in a manner that the Mexican driver deemed disrespectful. Perez expressed his discontent with Lawson’s racing style, which has previously drawn criticism from other drivers, including Fernando Alonso during the Austin Grand Prix.
“I had the maneuver into Turn 4, and he was outside the track and just came straight like there was no car there,” Perez recounted. “I think he could have avoided the incident, but he just went back. Luckily, I saw him and opened up room; otherwise, it could have been a massive crash. It was unnecessary and ended up damaging both our races.”
When pressed about his relationship with Lawson, Perez replied curtly: “I don’t have any relationship with him. I think the way he has come to Formula 1 shows he doesn’t have the right attitude. He needs to be a bit more humble.”
He noted Lawson’s apparent disregard for advice from more experienced drivers, specifically referencing Alonso’s recent comments. “When a two-time world champion was speaking last weekend, he completely ignored him. You have to be respectful, both on and off the track when you enter Formula 1.”
While acknowledging Lawson’s talent, Perez cautioned that the young driver needs to reflect on his aggressive driving style. “In his first two Grands Prix, he has had many incidents. At some point, this could cost him dearly, as it did this weekend. He needs to recognize if he is overdoing it and take a step back. Formula 1 is a brutal world, and if you don’t learn from your mistakes, you might not last long.”
When asked if he believed Lawson was racing more aggressively due to the coveted Red Bull seat being at stake, Perez responded, “He nearly crashed with Fernando last weekend and with Franco too. He seems to be racing everyone out of control at the moment.”
As Lawson continues to seek a permanent seat with Red Bull, Perez’s comments highlight the intense scrutiny and competitive nature of Formula 1, where both talent and attitude are crucial for success.
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