The Formula 1 stewards have released an account of the unseen first practice collision between Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez, which has yielded a “no further action” verdict.
In the aftermath of the incident, Perez was seen facing the wrong way at the Villeneuve S with damage to the left rear of his Red Bull, while Ocon’s car pulled over just before the following corner with apparent front-right damage.
RED FLAG 🔴
The session is halted as Sergio Perez has a problem with his rear left wheel – and Esteban Ocon suffers collateral damage 👀
Both are out of their cars and their FP1 is over #ImolaGP 🇮🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/aZKrVqdAGm
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 16, 2021
A data issue meant F1’s coverage of FP1 on Friday featured restricted content, so no onboard shots were available to determine what actually happened.
But Perez and Ocon were summoned to the stewards shortly after the session, and after a brief hearing the stewards determined – and “both drivers agreed” – that neither was to blame.
“Ocon slowed before Turn 5 in order to let Perez by, as well as moving entirely to the inside of the turn,” said the stewards in their verdict, having heard from the drivers and team representatives and “reviewed video evidence”.
“Perez was on a fast lap. The two cars reached the apex at the same time, and just barely touched wheels.
“In the end, both drivers agreed in the hearing that it was an unfortunate miscommunication of timing between them, not helped by the fact that both drivers had limited or no communications with their teams at the time.
“Both drivers agreed that neither was at fault. The Stewards therefore take no further action.”
