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Perez: "I wouldn't disobey a team order"
Sergio Perez insists he would never disobey team orders from the pitwall, despite the controversy over his actions in the Canadian Grand Prix.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Jun 13, 2017, 3:56 PM
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Perez stirred up plenty of intrigue in Montreal when Force India suggested to him that he should consider letting teammate Esteban Ocon through to help in their fight against Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo for a podium finish.
But although Ocon was disappointed that the scenario did not play out that way and his teammate stayed where he was, Perez says he does not understand what the fuss was all about – because Force India never went as far as actually ordering him to move aside.
"The problem is that the press has created these stories – because I've never disobeyed an order," Perez told Motorport.com.
"All we had was a discussion about whether to let Ocon pass me. But I increased my speed and approached Ricciardo – and that was it. At no time did I ignore my team.
"I am here to give the best results to Force India and if I get an order, I will follow it. But here, there was no order."
Although Ocon felt that he would have had a chance of getting Ricciardo for third, Perez said that the pair had cleared things up on Sunday night and that there was no problem between them.
"Yes, all is well between Ocon and me," added Perez. "I think everyone on the team feels there is a good atmosphere – especially after an excellent result and on a weekend where we were as competitive as we were.
"We should be happy because we added 18 points [in the constructors' championship] - the same amount as Ferrari did today.
"Our rivals did not add much, so we should be happy and not focus on stories that I didn't respect team orders – because there were none."
Perez added he believes it is better for the team that he has someone alongside him like Ocon who is a proper threat – rather than a much slower driver.
"I think it's good that Esteban is at that pace," he said. "I think it's important for the team that Esteban keeps doing a good job. I'll keep doing my thing."
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