Lawson apologises to Perez after middle finger incident

Liam Lawson has apologised to Sergio Perez for showing him the middle finger during the Mexico City Grand Prix. 

The RB and Red Bull drivers first locked horns on lap 18 at Turn 4, whilst battling for the final point position. 

Lawson had been in 10th and recognised that Perez was set to attempt a lunge, resulting in the pair going side by side through Turns 4 and 5. 

At Turn 5, heavy contact was made, with Perez having sustained significant floor and sidepod damage. Perez referred to the driver linked with his seat as an "idiot".

Lawson – who finished 16th – addressed the collision after the race and criticised Perez for not leaving him enough space to avoid contact. 

"I gave him space in Turn 4," Lawson told Viaplay. "He was coming in super far back and super late, so I knew he would try a lunge. 

"I gave him space, he drove me off the track. And then into Turn 5, I'm trying to turn as much as I can, but he's again, turned in and not given me space. 

"It wasn't my intention to, obviously have an incident, but I did try and leave space in Turn 4. I would have thought he would leave me space in Turn 5, but obviously not."

The collision infuriated both Lawson and Perez as it ruined both of their races, with the New Zealander's emotions having been seen whilst overtaking the 34-year-old later in the race. 

When overtaking Perez down the start/finish straight, Lawson was seen showing the Mexican driver his middle finger, an inappropriate gesture he has since apologised for.

"I was obviously in the moment upset, he blocked me for half-a-lap to obviously try and ruin my race," explained Lawson. 

"But honestly, I shouldn't have done it, and I apologise because it's not something we should do. It was in the moment, but it's not an excuse."