• Canadian Grand Prix

Perez not concerned about Raikkonen backlash

Sergio Perez has already had the backing of McLaren for his driving in Monaco © Getty Images

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• Race:
• Canadian Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Sergio Perez
• |
• Kimi Räikkönen

• Teams:
• McLaren

Sergio Perez says he is not concerned there will be any hangover from his row with Kimi Raikkonen at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.

The pair collided in Monaco which ultimately led to Perez's retirement and saw Raikkonen labour to tenth place. After the race, Raikkonen said Perez's attempt to overtake was "stupid" and added that in order to make him learn "Maybe someone should punch him in the face". However, Perez defended his own driving and - having also passed Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button - said he didn't expect any repercussions in future races.

"I think looking back at Monaco, every manoeuvre that you try to do in Monaco to overtake people is on the limit," Perez said. "I did a couple of moves on the limit which at the end of the day came out with a result that I wasn't expecting. But I think the manoeuvres I did were right, I think I did nothing stupid.

"No, I'm not worried at all. Firstly because they are very mature drivers and secondly because they are driving the championship. I think Kimi regrets more the loss of points from the last race, so I think we are all very mature and there's nothing to take in to the next couple of races. We have to fight, and if I'm in the same position I will fight them again and I will try to be as fair as possible."

Asked about Raikkonen's post-race comments, Perez said he understood why they were so harsh immediately after the end of the race.

"I think it's just after the race. At the end of the day we are humans, you are very upset, you are very angry and straight away you want to criticise the person that you feel ruined your race. I felt he ruined my race, he felt I ruined his race so it's very easy to make a comment straight away after the race. I think if you went to ask Kimi right now I expect he would answer very differently to that."

Perez added that he felt the criticism he is receiving is partly due to him being a McLaren driver.

"For sure, if you look at my race last year in Monaco I started last and I did maybe five or six moves at the chicane and nobody commented on those. So I think when you are at McLaren the spotlight is on you, people are commenting a lot on what you do right, what you do wrong, so I think you get more attention."

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