Mexican F1 driver drops sponsor over Trump-related comment

SAO PAULO – Mexican Formula One driver Sergio Perez is dropping a sunglasses sponsor that he says made “fun” of his country after Donald Trump became the U.S. president-elect.

The brand Hawkers wrote on Twitter that Mexicans should “put on the glasses so they can’t see those crying eyes” if a wall is built between Mexico and the United States, which Trump has pledged to do.

Perez, speaking on Thursday at the Brazilian Grand Prix, says, “I didn’t find it funny at all. It has nothing to do with the brand. Unfortunately, I have decided not to stay with them because of those comments. I would never let anyone make fun of my country.”

Hawkers has removed the Tweet. Perez, who drives for Force India, did not say how much he was paid by the brand.