Sergio Perez aimed a cheeky dig at Red Bull after Lando Norris beat Max Verstappen to the 2025 Formula 1 world championship.
Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday but it was not enough to stop Norris from being crowned champion after the McLaren driver finished third.
The British star pipped Verstappen to the title by just two points, with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri only a further 11 points adrift, the tightest championship finish since 2008.
Verstappen did all he needed to do at Yas Marina by winning from pole and had Norris finished just one place lower, the Dutchman would have clinched a record-equalling fifth title in a row.
For much of the race, Norris was under pressure from Charles Leclerc in fourth and as such Red Bull instructed their other driver Yuki Tsunoda to do everything to hold up Norris and back him up into the Ferrari when he found himself in front after the first round of pit-stops.
The strategy was reminiscent of the title showdown in 2021, when Verstappen’s then-teammate Perez brilliantly held up Lewis Hamilton and cost him crucial seconds that ultimately helped Verstappen win the title.
Tsunoda did not have the same success however, with Norris quickly getting past, even after the Japanese driver forced the McLaren off the road.
Many fans were quick to point how poor Tsunoda’s defence was compared to Perez’s, who was axed by Red Bull last year, and some suggested that the championship may have had a different outcome if Perez was still at the team.
On Twitter, one user posted a meme featuring the Marvel character Thanos telling Perez ‘perhaps I treated you too harshly’.
And the Mexican seemed to agree, reposting the meme with the caption ‘Perhaps’ and a laughing emoji.
Perez, a former McLaren driver too, later added his congratulations to the victors, tweeting: ‘Bravo Lando Norris you and all McLaren congratulations!! Well deserved.’
Perez was axed by Red Bull at the end of last year after a poor season where he finished eighth in the standings, with his lack of points costing Red Bull the constructors’ championship.
He was replaced by Liam Lawson who was then replaced by Tsunoda after the just two races in 2025 but the driver swaps have proven disastrous.
Max Verstappen congratulates Lando Norris
Max Verstappen to congratulate Lando Norris as he climbed out of his car and later said: ‘I don’t see it like losing to be honest.
‘He [Norris] has had a very good season. In general it’s been a tough battle between himself and Oscar and at one point I got into the fight.
‘Winning your first is always super emotional. It’s very special because everyone on the grid is always dreaming about that moment.
‘I hope he really enjoys it tonight with his family and, of course, the team.’
While Verstappen nearly won the title with 421 points, Tsunoda finished 17th in the standings with just 33 points.
Earlier this week, Red Bull announced that Tsunoda would not be on the grid in 2026, with promising rookie Isack Hadjar promoted to his seat.
Meanwhile, Perez will rejoin the grid next year, racing for the brand new Cadillac team.
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