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Sergio Perez was just millimetres away from making contact with Isack Hadjar in an FP2 incident at the Barcelona Grand Prix, leading F1 pundit Karun Chandhok to theorise on whether the Mexican still holds a grudge against Red Bull.
The 36-year-old was given his marching orders from Red Bull at the end of the 2024 campaign. After a rollercoaster of a few years for Perez, they opted to swap him out for Liam Lawson, despite the fact that he still had a valid contract for 2025.
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The exit saw him take a year away from the sport in 2025, before returning with F1’s brand-new Cadillac outfit this year. He joined alongside Valtteri Bottas to create one of the most experienced driver line-ups on the grid.
Ahead of this weekend’s Barcelona Grand Prix, Perez revealed his ‘main motivation’ for returning to F1 was because he wanted to prove that he was still worthy of a seat in the sport, as well as the fact that he wants to leave the grid on his own terms.
- READ MORE: Red Bull chose Liam Lawson to replace Sergio Perez due to concerning Max Verstappen situation
Karun Chandhok thinks Sergio Perez may still be holding a grudge against Red Bull
During Sky Sports F1’s coverage of FP2 at the Barcelona Grand Prix, Karun Chandhok shared his theory on the close call between Perez and Red Bull’s latest promotee, Isack Hadjar.
The two almost came together at turn four, with Perez narrowly missing the Frenchman’s front wing as he turned into the corner. Hadjar expressed his fury on the radio, noting that his rival probably didn’t see him as he took the turn.
Should Sergio Perez be more grateful to Red Bull?
However, Chandhok was under the impression that Perez was well aware of what he was doing, saying, “Into Turn 4, Perez, I think he knew Hadjar was coming, because he chopped him off.
Because if you look, look at where Perez gets to the apex, he doesn’t actually get on the kerb on the inside. So, I think he sort of thought, ‘Oh, I need to leave a little bit of space, but I’m not gonna let him pass anyway’.
“It is a bit naughty in a free practice session. But is there still a little bit of needle about [his Red Bull exit], or does he just want to get on with it and not let other people get in the way?
The Cadillac ace ended the final practice session of Tuesday afternoon with the 20th fastest lap of the session, with Hadjar claiming P10 on the timing sheets.
- READ MORE: Sergio Perez ‘contributed’ to Liam Lawson’s Red Bull issues with behind-the-scenes act last season
Sergio Perez has already reignited his feud with Liam Lawson since returning to F1
It isn’t the first time that Perez has come close to butting heads with the same outfit that offered him a lifeline at the end of the 2020 campaign.
Lawson has shared a fierce rivalry with Perez ever since the New Zealander was vying for his seat prior to his promotion at Red Bull ahead of last season.
Lawson infamously gave Perez the middle finger during the latter’s home Grand Prix in 2024, to which he was subsequently reprimanded for by Red Bull’s top brass.
The feud was reignited at the 2026 season-opener in Australia. Lawson and Perez clashed in a battle for track position, which led the Racing Bulls driver to call his arch-nemesis ‘bitter’ as he told him he ‘sucks’ over the team radio.
Perez ultimately brushed off the incident as a bit of ‘fun’, downplaying the continuation of his former feud with Lawson.
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