4
Force India's Sergio Perez as left disappointed after his race in Baku, as he retired from his first race of the season. The Mexican was running in a strong fourth position before he and his teammate Esteban Ocon collided at a safety car restart.
Ocon attempted to overtake Perez up the inside of turn 2 but on the exit, the two made contact with both cars suffering damage. Perez came off worse, and despite repairing his car during the red flag period, the stewards deemed that it was done illegally, handing him a penalty.
"It’s a shame to retire from a race like this because I think we would have been in a position to win the race," claimed Perez. "The team did a great job all weekend and deserved much more than to have a race ruined in these circumstances. I couldn’t do anything to avoid the accident and it’s particularly bad for our team because it ruined the races of both of us on a day in which other teams have scored big points."
Force India set for intense talks - again
This will be the second race in a row that Force India have had to deal with controversy within the team. Last time out in Canada, Perez refused to move aside to let Ocon through to attack Ricciardo for third. However, this will have had much more of an effect on the team, as not hitting your teammate is the number one rule.
"We will need to discuss the situation within the team and make sure something like this does not happen again. As drivers, we are just part of a much bigger team and we have a responsibility to do our best to bring home a good result, especially considering what would have been possible today. Before the incident, it had been a great race and a strong weekend.
"My start was very good and I was fighting for second place on merit, but we were really unlucky at the Safety Car restart. Even after the crash, the team did a great job to get the car back together and allow me to resume the race. Even then, the seat broke and the team retired the car on safety grounds. It shows how unlucky this weekend turned out to be."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
190,634 comments on Visa Cash App RB
25 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Daniel Ricciardo
96,020 comments on Force India 8 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Force India
Replies (4)
Login to replytalktohenry
Posts: 362
Totally agree, and yet again Perez makes amazing performance, if he doesn't get the Ferrari drive next year, there is no justice in this world!
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Was driving very well.. Force India is getting hot!
F1racefan97
Posts: 113
Perez will be absolutely gutted he didn't get his first win, he has more than enough talent to be a multi race winner by now
Alonzo
Posts: 66
Yes, too bad, podium was possible for both....I think Ocon didn't do it on purpose, but was trying to show Perez and every one else for what happened at Canada... Costly Rookie mistake....
Great opportunity wasted...