Perez and Ocon avoid penalty after "unfortunate miscommunication of timing"

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and Alpine's Esteban Ocon have avoided any penalty after their collision during first practice for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.

The hour-long session had to be red-flagged with 22 minutes remaining following the incident involving the two former Force India team-mates who were involved in a number of accidents during their time at the team.

Due to technical issues with the F1 television feed, it proved difficult to determine what unfolded between the duo, with Perez notably emerging with a severely damaged left-rear on the RB16B.

The technical difficulties also affected data for the team and radio communications, and this was deemed a mitigating factor for the incident following an investigation by the stewards.

A report read: "Ocon slowed before turn 5 in order to let Perez by, as well as moving entirely to the inside of the turn. 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."

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