Perez says Trump tweet "not funny at all" after Hawkers split

The Force India driver announced on Twitter today that he was splitting with Hawkers after the brand's tweet following Donald Trump's victory in the American presidential election.

"Mexicans, put on these sunglasses so your eyes don't swell when you are building the wall tomorrow," the tweet, which was later deleted, read.

Perez had just started his relationship with the brand, but confirmed his team was working on an agreement to split with it.

"I decided to split with them. I think it was a very unfortunate comment about my country," said Perez on Thursday in Brazil.

"It's not fully related to the brand, it's mainly the community manager, but I have decided to split with the brand because I'm not in favour at all of those comments.

"I didn't see a reason and didn't find it funny at all so we are working on an agreement to split.

"I feel sorry because it's a great brand, but I'm not willing to stay there because I think the brand must be in charge of the community manager and I didn't find it funny at all."

Perez revealed that Hawkers had already started production of 20,000 pairs of sunglasses with his branding on them.

"They did my sunglasses and we had just started the relationship," he added. "They were going to do 20,000 sunglasses under my name.

"They are very sorry, and I'm very sorry too. As I said before, it's a great brand.

"I know the owners and they've done incredibly well and I think the relationship was going to be very successful but it offends my country, my people and I won't let anyone make fun of my country.

"It's a shame the brand pays for it because it's a mistake from one person that I'm sure he regrets it now."

Additional reporting by Jonathan Noble