Formula 1 Motorsport Director Ross Brawn has expressed disappointment at Force India implementing team orders to prevent their drivers racing in order to secure fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.
The Silverstone-based outfit has been dealing with increased tension between Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon since the Canadian Grand Prix in June which has seen the two teammates collide on several occasions, most notably in Baku and twice at Spa.
The race in Belgium marked a tipping point as orders were introduced with the last round in Japan the first time they were needed as Perez was told to hold station behind his younger French partner.
At a time when new F1 owners Liberty Media are looking to improve the show, to see a potential sub-story to the main championship neutered is clearly not what they hope for no matter how understandable the circumstances, particularly as it pits a rising star against an established name.
“The Ocon-Perez line-up is a potent combination and the intense level of competition between them is bringing out the best in both,” former team boss Brawn commented. “Also, it’s simply great fun watching the inevitable battle develop between them each weekend.
“The two teammates found themselves racing one another again, but unlike previous recent occasions when this happened, the sparks didn’t fly. Some [at Force India] might regret the excitement that (their past fights) had delivered, but I’m sure the team were glad of a quieter afternoon in Suzuka at least.”
What is doubly frustrating about Force India’s stance is the fact they hold fourth place in the championship by 81 points over Williams with midfield teams rarely scoring better than a fifth or sixth place finish meaning that position is 99% guaranteed.
Therefore with the two drivers in their own battle to claim the honour of best midfield driver in seventh in the Drivers’ standings why not let them battle it out fairly?
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Regardless, looking at their run of results this season, Brawn was nothing but impressed why what the team, now a decade old, has managed.
“Suzuka was the 13th race of this campaign in which the team has seen both drivers score points,” he said, “which is an impressive achievement. I must congratulate them because they have shown that good organisation and effective use of available resources can deliver impressive results.”
