Liam Lawson again showed irritation with Sergio Perez during the Canadian Grand Prix of Formula 1. A radio message not shown in the official broadcast revealed the frustration of the Racing Bulls driver as he tried to lap the Mexican in Montreal.
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The relationship between the two drivers had already been marked by tense episodes since the end of the 2024 season. At the time, Lawson appeared as the main candidate to replace Perez at Red Bull Racing in 2025, which increased the rivalry between them. The change eventually happened, but Lawson was demoted again to Racing Bulls after only two GPs in 2025, while Perez was off the grid, returning only this year with Cadillac.
During the race in Canada, Lawson had a consistent performance and moved up from twelfth position to finish seventh. However, in the middle of the race, the New Zealander lost patience when he found Perez ahead while trying to lap the Mexican.
On lap 32, Racing Bulls engineer Alexandre Iliopolous warned Lawson about the blue flag for the Cadillac car: “Perez has blue flag,” he informed over the radio. Shortly after, Lawson responded irritably: “He is just getting in the way.”
On the other side, Perez also showed confusion about the situation. His engineer, Carlo Pasetti, warned that Lawson was behind with a blue flag, but the Mexican questioned the rival’s delay in overtaking: “Why doesn’t he pass?” Perez asked.
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Pasetti replied stating that the team had noticed Perez tried to make space: “We saw you leaving space. Try again, maybe he’ll understand,” said the Cadillac engineer.
Even after the exchange of messages, Perez remained ahead for a few more corners. Lawson complained again upon realizing that neither Cadillac nor another car ahead seemed to be receiving the blue flag signals: “Man, what are they doing?” questioned the Racing Bulls driver. He then added: “They are literally not respecting any blue flags,” Lawson said.
Soon after, light panels began to display Perez’s number 11, indicating the obligation to let the other car pass. The Mexican finally reduced speed before turn 10 and allowed Lawson to overtake. Perez also irritated Kimi Antonelli during the race, when the Mercedes driver complained over the radio after the Cadillac driver did not give way in another situation during the race.
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