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Force India may reimpose team orders following a lap 1 collision between its drivers in Singapore. Esteban Ocon was sent into the wall after pulling up alongside teammate Sergio Perez on the exit of Turn 4, with Perez claiming that he didn't see the Frenchman.
The two have a history of clashing, as they came together a number of times throughout the 2017 season. The team brought in team orders and forbid them from going wheel to wheel for a number of races, before the ruling was relaxed. But team principal Otmar Szafanauer has warned that the Silverstone outfit could reinforce the orders.
“It’s been over a year since it [last] happened,” he told Sky. “It was at Baku last year that we instilled the rules it was at Spa. From Spa until here it hasn’t happened.
“So we’re back to the old rules. We allowed them to race on lap one whereas in the past we didn’t allow them to race on lap one and now we can remove that. And if they continue to do this, even on lap one there’s other ways to separate them which we hope that we don’t ever have to employ.”
Perez apologised to his team after the incident and gave his take on the collision post-race: “It was a very unfortunate incident,” he said. “One of those that is very hard to avoid. As I’m picking up the power I just get a clip from one car. I did not even realise that it was Esteban. And then as I get the message from the team I was very sorry for that.”
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
3 members have this team as their favourite
Replies (8)
Login to replyf1ski
Posts: 726
ocon and stroll
2GRX7
Posts: 108
I'm really starting to dislike Perez! He's scared sh*+less by Ocan's capability. I looked at his in-car several times, and he didn't get hit from behind, he just checked Ocon into the wall! My doubts of his S.O.P. of checking others into the wall was erased when he did it again to Sirotkin!
He destroyed what could have been a double-points finish for F.I. This guy's TOO egotistical.
websurfer
Posts: 52
Seconded.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Its days like these that remind me of why Perez will likely never get a shot at a big team again. Which in one way suck, because he is a good driver, but its at the same time sorta his own fault.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Dreadful day for Pérez. However, first incident was a racing incident. The only reason it mattered was because it was Ocon. It was mighty ambitious by Ocon driving into that disappearing wedge. If it wasn't Pérez it would have been someone else. The incident with Sirotikin was embarrassing. Pérez could have still salvaged a solid points finish but instead he had a Maldonado moment. Still, it doesn't change my views on Perez. It was just a dreadful day in the office. I think fans have short memories and are willing to dismiss 80 solid GPs over one or two incidents.
cricho
Posts: 80
Agreed, Perez had a CRASHTOR MALDONADO type of race but it doesn't take away all his solid race performances.
Tough race for him today...
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Definitely. He is still a good driver regardless.
F1todayfan101
Posts: 120
I do wonder of the delay to Lance taking his throne is because they are looking to retain Ocon to help merc and need to punt Perez. His driving was desperate at the weekend, as if something was playing on his mind.