Force India ready to hand over team orders

Esteban Ocon didn't go far at the Singapore GP. As the Force India driver looks to showcase himself as he finds himself without a wheel for the 2019 season, he had to dismount after ending his race in the wall in the first following contact with his teammate Sergio Perez.

“I had a superb start and I felt really good about it in the little race I was able to do, commented the 2015 GP3 Series champion on Canal+. I saw an opening at turn 3 but I felt an impact and found myself straight into the wall. We had very good potential to bring both cars back into the points. All I see at the moment is that we’re not going to get any cars back into the Top 10.”

Esteban Ocon had well anticipated the outcome of the weekend since Sergio Pérez failed in 16th position after having another collision later in the race with Sergey Sirotkin (Williams).

“It was an unfortunate accident, one that is difficult to avoid, said Sergio Pérez. I made contact as I was picking up speed. I didn't realize it was Esteban. I was sorry as soon as the team told me. It was a difficult day for the team. »

The management of Racing Point Force India did not appreciate the maneuver at all as they work to move up the positions in the Manufacturers' Championship after having to start from scratch in the middle of the season following the takeover of the team. The threat of team instructions is clearly brandished to avoid a new incident between the two drivers.

“It’s unacceptable for them to arrive like that in an area without any clearance. They need to give each other enough space. The team is more important than the individual, said Otmar Szafnauer, Team Principal of Racing Point Force India. We will have to go back to the rules put in place last year if they continue, then we will be in control. It's hard to get a hold of them once they're behind the wheel, but we can do it before the race starts. »

If Sergio Pérez was not penalized for his contact with his French teammate, Otmar Szafnauer has clearly formed his opinion on the first round incident.

“He was told it was unacceptable. There was enough space left. He must give his teammate enough space. It's a racing incident if it's someone else, but he has to leave room otherwise.", hammered the Team Principal of the team.

Discover the analysis of the Singapore GP carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2183 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.