Perez given formal warning for ‘personal insults’ after Abu Dhabi GP

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez has been given a formal warning, after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, for throwing ‘personal insults’ at the race stewards.

When the chequered flag fell on the Formula 1 season and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a disheartened Perez expressed his displeasure, over his team radio, at the steward’s decision of a five-second penalty. 

This quickly gained the attention of the stewards and resulted in the Mexican driver being summoned to their office. 

Perez was given a five-second time penalty in the latter stages of the season finale after the #11 RB19 made contact with the McLaren of Lando Norris, in an attempt to pass the Briton at turn six. 

In the outcome, despite being conflicted with being the subject of the messages, the stewards issued Perez with a formal warning as the insults were a breach of the International Sporting Code. They said: 

“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 Stewards note that they are obviously conflicted in this matter as they were the subject of the radio statements and that normally this would be referred to the next panel of Stewards however as this is the final event of the season, the matter needed to be dealt with here.”

Following on from the outburst, it was reported that Perez made an apology for his actions – to each of the stewards – and deemed his choice of words were in the ‘heat of the moment.’ The officials reportedly accepted this apology and subsequent statements. 

“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,” The panel reported. “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 Stewards also note that the driver is not known for making such comments and has always been extremely respectful in Stewards hearings.  He was also reminded that the Stewards are always available to explain their decisions when requested by a driver or team representative.”

In the report, Perez was given a detailed review of the incident between himself and Norris which resulted in the five-second penalty. The Red Bull driver still disagreed with their decision but understood ‘the stewards’ perspective of the incident.’

That’s all for the article; Perez given formal warning for ‘personal insults’ after Abu Dhabi GP!

Read more Formula 1 here:

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.