ESPN journalist Miguel Gonzalez has taken to Twitter to slam Red Bull’s Sergio Perez for not taking a picture with his son after a meal.
Gonzalez criticised the Mexican driver for saying ‘no’ when asked if he could pose for a photo, suggesting that the refusal resulted in his son crying.
Perez is yet to respond despite the tweet circulating heavily online and attracting interest, with Formula 1 currently on a break following the Australian Grand Prix where he finished fifth, before its return for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the end of April.
The issue surrounding the picture follows on from Charles Leclerc’s recent struggles with fans arriving at his home in Monaco and asking to meet the Ferrari driver after his address was leaked.
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Taking to Twitter, the ESPN journalist wrote: “Thanks to @SChecoPerez for ignoring and turning your back on my son when you were leaving the restaurant.
“Incredulous, I approached you to ask if you could take a picture with him and you declined, saying that you came with your family. This time the tears you provoked were not from emotion.”
Since the fiery original tweet was posted, Gonzalez has apologised and backtracked on his anger, but social media continues to weigh in on the matter with Perez remaining quiet.
He later said: “Today I have to offer a sincere apology to @SChecoPerez… I insist that he is within his rights. My reaction was wrong. Sincere apology.”
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Reaction was split following Gonzalez’s accusations, with many believing Perez had a right to decline, while others suggested that the journalist had a right to be upset with the driver’s lack of co-operation.
Perez already has one win under his belt this season after taking the chequered flag at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, but slumped to a fifth-placed finish in Melbourne around Albert Park in a more difficult weekend, that saw teammate Max Verstappen cruise to victory number two of the season.
In what looks to be a one-horse race at least for the first half of 2023, the onus is on the Mexican to push his teammate and force the issue with the RB19 head and shoulders above the rest of the grid thus far.