The 2024 Mexican Grand Prix was marked by an incident that is rarely seen in Formula 1.
Liam Lawson and Sergio Perez, two drivers from the Red Bull program, had a fierce battle that culminated in a controversial gesture from Lawson. In this article, we will dive into the details of this clash, the consequences for both drivers, and how the team is managing the situation.
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The on track duel between Lawson and Perez
Nothing went as planned for Sergio Perez during this Grand Prix in Mexico City. After a difficult qualifying that left him in 18th place on the grid, he completely missed his start by overshooting the mark where he was supposed to stop on the grid to take off. As he tried to make his way up the pack, he found himself in a direct fight with Liam Lawson for 10th place and therefore 1 point. The two drivers battled it out on the 18th lap, quite physically. At Turn 4, Perez attempted an inside pass, forcing Lawson off the track before coming back into contact with Perez. The Mexican saw his F1 car damaged, and the damage ultimately compromised his race. Lawson managed to pull ahead a bit and gave Perez the middle finger in the process. A gesture not without consequences.
Lawson’s inappropriate gesture
In the heat of the moment, Lawson had a moment of frustration and raised his middle finger while passing Perez, which obviously fueled another controversy. After the race, he admitted his regret over the gesture. “It wasn’t my intention to provoke him, but I felt blocked,” he explained. This reaction, while not often shown, definitely exists in F1. Although understandable in the context of a stressful race, it was poorly perceived, even by his team. Christian Horner, the director of Red Bull Racing, stated that it was essential for drivers to show mutual respect, especially within the same team. With tension already high, he emphasized that such incidents can affect team dynamics. But does this gesture risk compromising Lawson’s progression?
A catastrophic race for Perez
Despite his efforts, Sergio Perez was unable to turn his race around. With a five-second penalty for his irregular start, the situation worsened for the Mexican driver, who finished in P17. Horner did not mince words when discussing Perez’s “horrible” weekend, emphasizing that Formula 1 is ruthless and that results need to meet expectations, and above all, be present. The pressure continues to mount on the Mexican driver as he fights to maintain his place in the team, and this incident does not help his case. The atmosphere within Red Bull now seems tenser than ever, with drivers having to manage not only competition on the track but also interpersonal relationships. To make matters worse, Perez failed to secure the fastest lap as requested at the end of the race. Horner announced that difficult decisions needed to be made.
Ferrari 2024 F1 champion, 3 things we learned at the 2024 Mexico GP
This article explores the intense rivalry between Liam Lawson and Sergio Perez during the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix. After a challenging race marked by contact and heated exchanges, both drivers have had to reflect on their actions.
Featured image: Red Bull Content Pool
