Sergio Perez ended a short-lived affiliation with sunglasses brand Hawkers after it made what he felt was an offensive tweet about his native Mexico and America's president-elect Donald Trump.
Perez took exception to a comment the brand made on its Twitter page following the controversial businessman's shock victory in Monday's election.
"Mexicans, put on these sunglasses so your eyes don't swell when you are building the wall tomorrow," the tweet said, before being deleted -- though not before Perez had seen and replied.
Perez's tweet said: "Really bad comment. Today I am breaking my relationship with @HawkersMX. I will never let anyone make fun of my country."
The topic was raised again at Perez's media session on Thursday at Interlagos ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. Perez said he decided to end his affiliation with the whole company -- which was in the process of making 20,000 limited-edition Perez sunglasses.
"I decided to split with them. I think it was a very misfortunate comment about my country, which is not fully related to the brand. It is mainly the community manager, but I have decided to split with the brand because I am not in favour of those comments at all.
"I didn't see the reason and I didn't find it funny at all. We are basically working on the agreement to split. I feel sorry because it is a great brand. They have done really well, but I am not willing to stay there because basically I think the brand should be in charge of the community manager. I didn't find it funny at all."
Although he appreciates the comment was made by one person working for the company, Perez said he had to cut ties out of loyalty to his country.
"Obviously I am very sorry and [the owners] are very sorry because it is a great brand. I know the owners and they have done incredibly well and I think the relationship was going to be very successful. But my country and my people come first and I want to support and I won't let anyone make fun of my country. It is a shame the brand pays for it because it is a mistake from one person. I am sure he regrets it now but it is how things are sometimes in life."
Perez declined to reveal the value of the Hawkers deal.