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Sergio Perez axes sponsor after Trump tweet

Published on 10 Nov 2016 10:43
8
By: Dominik Wilde

Sergio Perez has sensationally ditched a sponsor mere weeks after their partnership began, following a tweet made in the wake of Donald Trump's US presidential election victory.

Sunglasses manufacturer Hawkers MX, who recently released a special edition Sergio Perez-branded pair of sunglasses, posted a message in Spanish, joking about Trump's infamous promise to build a "beautiful wall" on the US-Mexican border and make Mexico pay for it.

"Mexicans, put these glasses on so people don't see your swelling eyes when the wall is being built in the morning," the message from Hawkers Mexico translates.

Perez, however, slammed the company in response to their tweet, and instantly cut ties with them in a message posted on the social network.

What a bad comment," he replied. "Today I finish my relationship with Hawkers MX. I will never let anyone mock my country."

Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez backed his compatriot, tweeting: "very good! Mexico United" in response to Perez's message.

Hawkers MX have since apologised for their blunder and have deleted their tweets so as to "not offend anyone more" .

Que mal comentario, Hoy mismo acabo mi relación con @HawkersMX .Nunca voy a dejar que nadie se burle de mi País! ___Escaped_link_6620d57f00a0e___
— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) November 9, 2016

@SChecoPerez muy bien! ?? #MexicoUnido
— Esteban Gutierrez (@EstebanGtz) ___Escaped_link_6620d57f00a12___

Hemos borrado los Tweets ofensivos para no ofender a nadie más. De nuevo, #losentimosdecorazonMéxico
— HAWKERS MX (@HawkersMX) November 10, 2016

F1 News Sergio Perez Esteban Gutierrez

Replies (8)

Kevin

Posts: 5,301
I find this quite pathetic to be honest. The conpany is Mexican itself, just joking a bit about it. The world would be a better place if not everyone would be immediately butthurt whenever a comment is made that they don't agree with. Maybe the joke wasn't that good, big deal though...
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- Nov 10 2016 - 12:51
- denis1304
  
  Posts: 284
  looks like it's Spanish
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  Nov 10 2016 - 16:38
- Hemex
  
  Posts: 1,283
  "Hawkers Co. was started by 4 friends in Spain". Doesn't look very Mexican to me.
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  Nov 10 2016 - 17:25
- Kevin
  
  Posts: 5,301
  Hawkers official statement is:
  "Dear friends, we are Mexicans ourselves and our intention was only to make a joke. This is how we Mexicans are, we joke about everything. We have deleted all possibly offensive Tweets, hoping not to insult anyone. We have made a huge mistake. It will not happen again. We are sorry, Mexico."
  
  It was probably the Mexican part of the company. I interpreted the statement as the brand itself being Mexican. My mistake.
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  Nov 10 2016 - 22:28
Barron

Posts: 625
It seems not many nations can laugh at themselves these days. Hawkers sunglasses are awesome! Are they Mexican? I bought mine directly from the factory in Madrid...
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- Nov 10 2016 - 13:10
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Maybe a bit of an overreaction, but I cannot really blame him. While it was a joke, it came at a bad time, and while it would've been funny before the election, Im pretty sure many Mexicans dont think its funny now.
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- Nov 10 2016 - 19:08
- Hemex
  
  Posts: 1,283
  Yeah, same as that Trump inspired advertisement in Canada: "Grab 'em by the taco". Some people laugh, most of thme are offended. Stupid idea to try and catch a ride on such controversial situations. It usually it backfires.
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  Nov 11 2016 - 09:25
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Yeah, its just unnecessary to have it there at all.
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  Nov 11 2016 - 15:34