Sergio Pérez was given a formal warning after being summoned by the stewards for his radio comments during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he expressed dissatisfaction with the 5-second time penalty he received for making contact with Lando Norris earlier in the race.
The FIA document regarding the matter stated: “The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 11 (Sergio Perez), the team representative and reviewed team radio.
“The Stewards explained to the driver that they had no issue with someone disagreeing with their decisions, however comments that amount to personal insults are a breach of the International Sporting Code.
“The driver made a genuine and sincere apology to each of the Stewards and explained that he made the comments in the heat of the moment and did not consider the fact that they would be broadcast, and the impact of that. He expressed his regret that his comments caused offence to anyone or harm to the sport, which he said he was concerned to avoid. The Stewards accept his statements and accept his apology.
“(…) The driver, team manager and the Stewards had a constructive discussion about the use and broadcast of team radio messages. The incident itself was also reviewed in detail with the driver and although he still disagreed with the Decision he stated he could understand the Stewards’ perspective of the incident.”
Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
The Red Bull driver crossed the line in what was initially second place, but the penalty relegated him to fourth at the flag.
After crossing the finish line, Pérez vented his frustration over team radio, saying:
Pérez vehemently disagreed with the stewards’ ruling, explaining that he felt Norris was equally at fault for the contact.
“Yeah, to be totally honest, we ended up [making contact] which was unfortunate. But to make contact you require both parties. I think Lando also had some responsibility in that because he turned into me as if there was no one there,” he told the media after the race.
“We ended up making contact tyre to tyre as I was fully alongside him. He cut the corner, he gained time, and I still had the penalty. So I honestly don’t agree with the decision but there’s nothing you can do.”
After the two drivers banged wheels, Norris was forced wide and onto the run-off area, but managed to keep his position, returning to the track ahead of the Red Bull driver. Pérez insisted that Norris was equally at fault for the incident, and admitted that he didn’t understand why he was handed a penalty if his rival “didn’t lose anything” by going off.
“He didn’t lose anything with it—if anything he gained,” Pérez said.
“To have that sort of contact you require both cars to do that. I think he had some responsibility in it as well. In my opinion it was a 50-50, but he didn’t end up losing anything, if anything he gained. Hard to understand why I got a penalty, if I’m totally honest.”
Norris also shared his thoughts on the clash, stating that he was attempting to let Pérez by, rather than engage with him.
“He was ahead,” the McLaren driver said. “I’m trying to let him past.
“I was on the right, I tried to let him past, I was four car lengths away from the apex and somehow he still crashed into me. So, impressive.
“I don’t know, I literally tried to let him past and somehow he crashed into me and got a penalty.”
