Breaking news
Formula 1
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
Copy link
Share on Viber
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."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Fifth place "realistic" for Toro Rosso – Tost
Next article Tech analysis: Canada updates help Red Bull close the gap
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Sergio Perez
Yet another DNF for Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas: ‘Sometimes we don’t quite understand it’
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
Yet another DNF for Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas: ‘Sometimes we don’t quite understand it’
Valtteri Bottas denies he might lose his Cadillac seat for F1 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
20 h
Valtteri Bottas denies he might lose his Cadillac seat for F1 2027
Cadillac reveals date for F1 engine factory debut, thanks drivers for being “patient”
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Cadillac reveals date for F1 engine factory debut, thanks drivers for being “patient”
More from
Force India
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
Esteban Ocon explains why he collided with Sergio Perez so often at Force India
Formula 1
Formula 1
Esteban Ocon explains why he collided with Sergio Perez so often at Force India
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
Formula 1
Formula 1
Austrian GP
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
Latest news
Oliver Bearman explains why Haas’ 2026 F1 car is ‘hitting its ceiling’
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
1 h
Oliver Bearman explains why Haas’ 2026 F1 car is ‘hitting its ceiling’
Toprak Razgatlioglu going through a "difficult time" after shoulder surgery
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
2 h
Toprak Razgatlioglu going through a "difficult time" after shoulder surgery
Yet another DNF for Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas: ‘Sometimes we don’t quite understand it’
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
Yet another DNF for Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas: ‘Sometimes we don’t quite understand it’
Diogo Moreira: “From what we saw in the Austria test, Honda could fight for MotoGP title next year”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP 3 h
Diogo Moreira: “From what we saw in the Austria test, Honda could fight for MotoGP title next year”
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe