FIA stewards give Perez EXTRA punishment after Abu Dhabi penalty
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez received a formal warning from stewards after he verbally abused his fellow stewards over the radio during the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
After receiving a five-second time penalty for his collision with McLaren’s Lando Norris, a frustrated Perez complained over the radio to his engineer, calling those involved a “joke”.
After being called by the race stewards after the race, Perez escaped punishment by apologizing “sincerely”, but he also spent time in the post-race interview complaining about this decision.
FIA warning for Perez: What they said Sergio Perez
On the team radio: “I can’t believe it.
This year has been very bad, but that’s a joke. It was really a joke.
After the race to Canal+: “Some of our commissioners have never been in an F1 car. It’s up to the two drivers to play the game. The rear wheels I laughed when I got the penalty for locking up. I couldn’t understand why Leclerc gave me that place. Well, after that it didn’t seem like much happened.”
FIA Statement
“The stewards explained to the drivers that it was okay for people to disagree with their decisions, but the comments amounted to personal insults and were a violation of the International Sporting Code.”
“The driver sincerely apologized to each of the stewards and explained that his comments had been made in the heat of the moment and had no consideration for the broadcast or content of his comments.”
He expressed regret that he had hurt anyone or caused damage to the sport, but said he wanted to avoid that. Stewards also noted that the driver was not known to make such comments and had always behaved in a highly respectful manner at stewards’ hearings.
“We also reminded him that the stewards are always available to explain their decisions if requested by drivers or team principals.”
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner
“How often do we see soccer players venting their feelings of frustration?
The problem is that everything is broadcast to a worldwide audience.
“The fact that the Czechs ran so well and missed out on the podium is a problem. I can understand that it’s a little frustrating.
