Contact Ocon-Pérez: a disagreement and no penalty

A « unfortunate disagreement ». This is how the commissioners of Imola (Italy) described the curious touch between Sergio Pérez and Esteban Ocon during Free Practice 1 of Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna this Friday morning. 

This contact, no one was able to see or see it again due to technical problems having deprived image viewers, but above all the data and radio teams in the garages and on the pit wall. The only visual available was that of the pilot's spin Red Bull at the exit of turn 6 with the left rear tire cut, followed by the immobilization of theAlpine from the Frenchman a few meters further.

Summoned to the stewards after the session, the former Force India teammates gave their version of the facts and a decision was quickly taken by the officials. 

« Ocon slowed down before turn 5 to let Pérez, who was on a flying lap, pass, moving completely to the inside, explains the commissioners’ report. Both drivers arrived at the apex at the same time and their wheels barely touched.

In the end, both drivers agreed that there had been an unfortunate disagreement, exacerbated by the lack, if not absence, of radio communications with their respective teams.

Both pilots agree that neither of them is at fault.

The commissioners therefore decided to stop there and close the case ». 

Of which act.