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Sergio Perez criticises father's homophobic comments about Ralf Schumacher


Sergio Perez criticises father's homophobic comments about Ralf Schumacher

Sergio Perez has distanced himself from homophobic comments made by his father Antonio about former racing driver Ralf Schumacher.

Perez Snr, who is also a politician, had made disparaging remarks to ESPN about multiple-race winner Schumacher, who announced in July he was in a same-sex relationship.

Schumacher, in his role as a television pundit, had criticised Perez's performance for Red Bull with the Mexican only eighth in a championship led by team-mate Max Verstappen with more than twice as many points.

"I don't agree with any of his comments," Perez told Sky Sports on Wednesday when asked about his father's outburst. "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 and I think it's important as a sport to always show that whatever happens on track always remains on track. We should always be an example for the rest of the world."

Perez Snr made disparaging remarks about Schumacher when attempting to defend his son amid speculation that he is going to lose his seat at Red Bull for next season. Those suggestions reached a peak at last month's Mexican Grand Prix, when talk in the paddock suggested the 34-year-old could go as far as announcing his retirement from the sport at the end of the season - something that did not happen as the weekend passed without any announcements.

Schumacher had given his opinion on Perez's apparent underperformance this season, which prompted the Mexican's father to respond: "There's a driver who was a Formula One driver, [turned] journalist.

"He first stated that Checo [Perez] was already out of Red Bull. The following week, he [Schumacher] came out of the closet.

"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 doesn't matter, not because of Checo Perez, but because of what his [ex-]wife said about him."

Schumacher is the brother of seven-time world champion Michael and won six races with Williams in the early 2000s. He has a son, David, racing GT cars in Germany and replied to Perez senior himself on Instagram.

"I would also stand behind my son 100 per cent and try to help," he said. "That's how you do it as a father.

"Regarding the style, I would be different, but we know Mr Perez with all his emotions. That's why I'm not mad at him. However, I think the track results would be the better arguments."

While Verstappen can clinch his fourth successive championship in Las Vegas this weekend, Perez is chasing his first points since Austin in October.

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