Autosportfoto

Esteban Ocon asked Mercedes boss Wolff for advice on Perez F1 row

Esteban Ocon says he asked Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff for advice on dealing with Force India Formula 1 team-mate Sergio Perez after their on-track clashes in 2017.

The duo came together twice at Spa, with Ocon claiming Perez "tried to kill me" and the Mexican subsequently defending himself.

It came after Perez and Ocon rowed in Canada, collided in Azerbaijan and clashed again in Hungary with Force India bosses enforcing team orders after the Spa incident.

After the race in Belgium, Ocon called Wolff to discuss the incidents and growing tension, particularly as Wolff had experienced dealing with Lewis Hamilton's and Nico Rosberg's difficult relationship when they were team-mates at Mercedes.

"It was probably the first thing I did was to call him [Wolff] and see how they dealt with Lewis and Nico back then," Mercedes junior Ocon told Autosport.

"Definitely I asked for advice and they [Mercedes] were there to help me.

"I had their point of view, I had Force India's point of view.

"It's always helpful to get different point of views, but especially from Mercedes. They are world champions so they know what they are talking about.

"I can't go into detail [about the advice] but it was just a good help. You take it because it's always good advice."

Ocon, who finished eighth in the drivers' standings, said he and Perez had put the incidents behind them and moved on.

"It's important we have respect for each other and it's important for the team that there is a good atmosphere and we work together to develop the car correctly," he said.

"We are maybe not going to go on holidays together, but we get along well."

Zdroj: autosport.com