Sergio Perez Summoned To Stewards After Insulting Them On Team Radio

Sunday, 26 November 2023 at 18:00

Updated at Sunday, 26 November 2023 at 19:47

Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez was summoned to the stewards following the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.

Red Bull's F1 driver Sergio Perez received a five-second penalty following an incident with Lando Norris on lap 47 going into turn six side by side.

The Red Bull driver was faster and wanted to overtake Norris by diving down the inside after a long straight aided by DRS, but went a bit wider, which the McLaren driver didn't expect as he turned in.

The two drivers collided with their front wheels, and Norris had to go wide and cut the corner. While the 24-year-old said right after the incident, Perez crashed into him, the Mexican driver saw it differently.

The 33-year-old also went on a team radio right after the incident and said Norris turned into him. After reviewing the footage, stewards decided to award Perez with a five-second penalty.

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The Mexican driver crossed the finish line in second place, but the five-second penalty set him back two positions, so he didn't even achieve a podium in the end.

Obviously frustrated and disappointed, Perez went on the team radio during the slow-down lap and said: "I mean, the stewards are a joke. I cannot believe it. This was a joke, that was really a joke."

His team principal, Christian Horner, went on the team radio shortly after to give his opinion on the issue and agreed that the number 11 driver did not deserve a penalty. He said;

"Checo, that was a mighty drive! You don't deserve a penalty for that. If anything, it looked like a racing incident. Nothing different to what we saw in previous races."

On the other hand, Horner tried to lift the Mexican driver's mood by telling him to enjoy the incredible RB19 machine that he sat in.

"Great drive, enjoy this last lap in RP19, the absolute Rocketship of a car that the team in Milton Keynes have designed and built. It's very very special."

Perez thanked his team for a great job; however, he could not help but have one more jibe at stewards, saying they were "not on Formula One level."

"Yeah, I'm grateful for you guys. We deserved the podium on top, but you know, these stewards are not on Formula One level."

As a consequence of his actions, the 33-year-old has been summoned to stewards after the race finish and might face a hefty penalty.

The document published by FIA did not detail the investigation but only said Perez was summoned for "Alleged breach of Article 12.2.1 k) of the International Sporting Code – Statements made over the radio at 16:31."