F1 star Sergio Perez has condemned his father, Antonio, after he made homophobic comments about Ralf Schumacher.
Schumacher, who was previously married to a woman for 13 years, announced he was gay and in a relationship with a man named Etienne earlier this year.
Antonio Perez Garibay, Sergio’s father, appeared to use his sexuality against the German after Schumacher said his son was poised to lose his seat with Red Bull.
Antonio said: “There’s a driver who was a Formula 1 driver, [and is now a] journalist, he first stated that Checo was already out of Red Bull. The following week he [Schumacher] came out of the closet.
F1 news: Sergio Perez has condemned his father’s comments about Ralf Schumacher
SKYSPORTS
“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… his opinion doesn’t matter.”
Yet Perez, speaking ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend, has now hit back at his father.
“First of all, I don’t agree with any of his comments,” he told Sky Sports News.
JUST IN:Mike Tyson lands new job with disgraced figure just days after Jake Paul boxing fight
“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.
“It’s important as a sport to always show that whatever happens on track it always remains on track.
“That’s the way I see it and we should always be an example for the rest of the world.”
Schumacher has also responded to Antonio’s comments, with the ex-F1 driver insisting he’s ‘not angry’.
He did, however, suggest that Perez’s father would be wise to stick to sport in the future – rather than talking about personal lives.
“I would also stand behind my son 100 per cent and try to help,” he wrote on Instagram.
“That’s what you do as a father. As far as style is concerned, I would be different but we know Mr Perez with all his emotions.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
F1 news: Antonio Perez has caused controversy with his homophobic comments about Ralf Schumacher
GETTY
“That’s why I’m not angry with him. However, I think that results on the track would be the better arguments.”
Ralf has been embroiled in a bitter row with ex-wife Cora since announcing he was gay.
Cora has insisted she only learned about his sexuality through social media, which is something Ralf has denied.
The former Playboy model has said she feels she ‘wasted her best years’ while married to the 49-year-old.
F1 news: Ralf Schumacher announced he was gay and in a relationship with a man called Etienne back in July
Cora and Ralf have a son named David together.
Earlier in the year he defended his father for his new relationship and said that his mother had a ‘mental problem’.
Cora recently revealed she’s checked herself into therapy, with the 47-year-old eager to move on with her life.