FIA rule on Mercedes-Force India 'collusion' claims
FIA rule on Mercedes-Force India 'collusion' claims
Mercedes and Force India have been cleared of colluding to allow Lewis Hamilton to pass Esteban Ocon at the Monaco Grand Prix. Silver Arrows team boss Toto Wolff had suggested that Mercedes junior Ocon was under orders from elsewhere than Force India in Monte Carlo.
After pitting, Hamilton emerged behind Ocon, but the Frenchman put up no fight at all, allowing the standings leader to move past at the exit of the tunnel.
Hamilton went on to secure third place, while Ocon kept hold of the sixth place he had secured in qualifying.
READ MORE: Kubica discusses Toro Rosso switch reports
READ MORE: Alonso 'one of F1's all-time greats'
Force India COO Otmar Szafnauer dismissed any suggestion of outside influence in the decision to let Hamilton through, with the FIA accepting their version of events that Ocon instead had his eyes on Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly behind him.
"The reason for that, I don't care what Toto says, was we were running our own race, not against Lewis at the time," said Szafnauer. "And we didn't want to lose any time whatsoever.
"And it was Alonso who pitted just before and tried to undercut us, and what we didn't want to do was lose any time at all with Lewis such that Alonso would have a chance to get us, which is why we told Esteban not to lose any time to Lewis.
"Because if you're racing in your mirrors, you don't go as fast. Even if it's a couple of tenths a lap, it's too much. And when you're really close with some guy trying to undercut you, you can't do it.
"What you can do is hold him back for five, six, seven laps, he gets you anyway, but now you've lost out to Lewis, and you've lost out to the guy you're really racing. You're not racing him on track because he's pitted already, and you haven't."
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Norris INJURED at party with legendary DJ
- 4 minutes ago
Newey tipped to POACH key Red Bull staff if he joins F1 rivals
- 1 hour ago
F1 paddock favourite admits immense DOUBTS over Verstappen Red Bull future
- 2 hours ago
Hamilton F1 rival makes SURPRISE claim about Ferrari move
- 3 hours ago
Schumacher names shock F1 star to replace Hulkenberg at Haas
- Today 15:57
Hamilton in Arsenal title wish after STUNNING revelation
- Today 15:05
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860