Force India have "reminded our drivers that the team must always come first" ahead of Austrian GP after pair's costly Baku tangle
Monday 3 July 2017 16:18, UK
Force India have "reminded" Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon of acceptable team-mate conduct after the pair collided to costly effect in the madcap Azerbaijan GP.
Perez and Ocon were running fourth and fifth respectively when they ran into each other when battling after the second Safety Car restart, with both cars sustaining damage.
With Perez eventually retiring and Ocon finishing only sixth, Force India missed out on what would likely have been the team's first double podium finish.
The team-mates' Baku clash also followed on from controversy at the previous race in Canada when Force India mulled whether to swap their drivers' positions late in the race to attack a podium finish.
Heading into this weekend's Austrian GP, team boss Vijay Mallya says while they will not impose any sort of orders and hopes Perez and Ocon have learnt lessons from Baku.
"We certainly played our part in a dramatic race and it's still frustrating to ponder what might have been had things played out differently," said Mallya.
When's the Austrian GP on Sky?
"Since Baku we've had some conversations internally and reminded our drivers that the team must always come first. It's never acceptable for team-mates to make contact with each other and it certainly cost us points in Baku.
"However, the events of Azerbaijan won't change our approach. Our drivers can race freely and I'm sure they have learned some valuable lessons. We've given them a competitive car and I know they are mature enough to work together for the good of the team."
With Austria's Red Bull Ring featuring a several fast straights, Force India's Mercedes-powered VJM10 should again run strongly. Nico Hulkenberg tamed changeable conditions in qualifying last year to claim the team's first front-row start in nine years, although the race proved less fruitful as both the German and Perez retired.
"I think we can be just as competitive in Austria and pick up some good points this weekend," said Perez, as fourth-placed Force India look to increase a 42-point lead over Williams in the Constructors' Championship.
Don't miss the Austrian GP exclusively live on Sky Sports F1 on July 9 - lights out for the race is at 1pm. Check out all the ways to watch F1 on Sky Sports for subscribers and non-subscribers - including a NOW TV day pass for £6.99!
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