Perez criticises father's homophobic Schumacher remark

Sergio Perez has distanced himself from comments made by his father directed at former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher.

Speaking on the build-up to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Antonio Perez Garibay spoke about Schumacher's coverage regarding Perez's Red Bull's future.

"There is a driver who was a Formula 1 driver, [turned] journalist. He first stated that Checo was already out of Red Bull. The following week, [Schumacher] came out of the closet,” Perez Garibay is quoted by Mexican media.

"I don't know if he was in love with Checo. Do you understand it? There are many strange things. You no longer know if he is a journalist, a woman, a gentleman. But his opinion does not matter, not because of Checo Perez, but because of what his [ex-]wife said about him."

Earlier this year, Schumacher revealed that he was in a same-sex relationship.

The comments from Perez Senior prompted backlash, with Schumacher himself responding on social media.

“I would also stand behind my son 100% and try to help,” he said. “That's what you do as a father. As for the style, I would be different but we know Mr Perez with all his emotions.

“That's why I'm not angry with him. However, I believe that results on the track would be the better argument.”

Speaking in Las Vegas, the remark from Perez's father was put to the Red Bull driver, who outlined his opposition to the words used.

“First of all, I don't agree with any of his comments,” Perez told Sky Sports News. “I think he did a mistake in that regard. 

“I don't share any of his views but at the same time I don't control what my father has to say, I can only control what I say.

“It's important as a sport to always show that whatever happens on track it always remains on track. That's the way I see it and we should always be an example for the rest of the world.”