Sergio Pérez receives a warning for criticizing the stewards over the radio
Sergio Pérez received a formal warning from the race stewards of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after he described their decision to impose a five-second penalty on him as a joke over the team radio.
Perez was penalized with a five-second penalty for colliding with Lando Norris during the 47th lap of the race at turn 6. While attempting to overtake the British driver, the Mexican driver veered into the McLaren car, causing a collision. Perez blamed Norris, claiming he felt he was ahead. However, Norris stated that he was actually giving space for Perez to pass on purpose, even though the Mexican still hit him.
Pérez did not hesitate to show his disagreement, not without vehemence, with the penalty, which demoted him from second to fourth place at the finish. After crossing the finish line, he vented his frustration to the team radio, saying: “The commissaires are a joke, man. I can’t believe it. They have been really bad this year, but this is a joke. It was really a joke.”
An intervention that didn’t go over well with the commissioners, who summoned Pérez for his comments and, after receiving apologies, decided to give him a formal warning.
In their verdict, the commissioners stated that they had no issue with public criticisms, but they deemed that Pérez had crossed the line with personal insults, which constitutes a violation of the International Sporting Code.
The sports commissioners explained to the driver that they had no problem with someone disagreeing with their decisions, but comments that consist of personal insults are a violation of the International Sports Code, according to their statement.
« The driver sincerely apologized to each of the sports commissioners and explained that he made these comments in the heat of the moment, without considering the fact that they would be broadcasted and the impact of this », before adding, « he expressed regret that his comments offended anyone or harmed the sport, which he said he wanted to avoid. The sports commissioners accept his statements and accept his apologies ».
The commissioners also note that the driver is not known for making such comments and has always been extremely respectful during the commissioners’ hearings. The sports commissioners clarified that Pérez still disagrees with their decision to penalize him, but they can now understand their point of view.
