The Mexico City Grand Prix was a heated affair both on and off the track, as Red Bull’s Sergio Perez openly criticized teammate Liam Lawson’s aggressive driving style and questionable attitude. The war of words erupted after the two drivers made contact on lap 19, with Lawson muscling his way past Perez at the Turn 4/5 chicane.
Perez: Lawson “Out of Control”
In a scathing post-race assessment, the experienced Mexican driver pulled no punches when discussing his young teammate’s conduct. Perez labeled Lawson “out of control” and suggested that the rookie’s approach to racing was ill-suited for the pinnacle of motorsport.
“He nearly crashed with Fernando last weekend, he nearly crashed with Franco [Colpainto]. I think he’s just racing everyone out of control at the moment.”
– Sergio Perez
A Call for Humility and Respect
Perez, a veteran of over 200 Grand Prix starts, believes that Lawson needs to adopt a more humble and respectful attitude both on and off the track. The Red Bull driver pointed to an incident involving two-time world champion Fernando Alonso at the previous race in Austin, where Lawson allegedly ignored the Spaniard’s advice.
“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.”
– Sergio Perez
A Steep Learning Curve
While acknowledging Lawson’s undeniable talent, Perez warned that the young New Zealander risks jeopardizing his Formula 1 career if he fails to learn from his mistakes and adjust his approach. The Mexican emphasized the importance of striking a balance between hunger and respect in the cutthroat world of F1.
“I think his two first two grand prix he has had too many incidents and I think there will be a point where it can cost him too much, like he did this weekend. I just think he has to have the right attitude to say, look, I’m overdoing it a little bit, I will step back and start again. It’s all the learning you have to do as a youngster because if you don’t learn from your mistakes, Formula 1 is a brutal world and he might not continue.”
– Sergio Perez
Lawson Apologizes for Gesture
Onboard cameras caught Lawson raising his middle finger at Perez as he passed the Mexican driver later in the race. The Kiwi was quick to apologize for the inappropriate gesture, acknowledging that it was out of character and not something that would please Red Bull’s notoriously strict advisor, Helmut Marko.
“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.”
– Liam Lawson
Red Bull’s Dilemma
The tension between Perez and Lawson comes at a critical juncture for Red Bull, as the team evaluates its driver lineup for the future. With Perez struggling throughout the 2024 season, Lawson has emerged as a potential replacement, having impressed in his substitute appearances for the underperforming Daniel Ricciardo.
However, the young driver’s recent clashes and questionable attitude have cast doubt on his readiness to step up to a full-time role with the team. Perez believes that it is now up to Red Bull’s management, specifically Helmut Marko and Christian Horner, to address Lawson’s behavior and guide him towards a more mature approach.
“That’s none of my business, it’s up to them. But today it cost Red Bull Racing a lot of points, so I think they should speak to him.”
– Sergio Perez
A Crucial Crossroads
As the 2024 Formula 1 season enters its final stages, the spotlight will undoubtedly remain on the internal dynamics at Red Bull. With Perez’s future hanging in the balance and Lawson vying for a permanent seat, the team finds itself at a crucial crossroads.
The coming weeks and months will reveal whether Liam Lawson can heed the advice of his more experienced teammates, temper his aggressive instincts, and demonstrate the maturity required to succeed at the highest level of motorsport. For Sergio Perez, the challenge lies in regaining his form and proving that he remains the best option to partner Max Verstappen in the long term.
As the drama unfolds, one thing is certain: the battle for supremacy at Red Bull is far from over, and the Mexico City Grand Prix has only added fuel to the fire.
