Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has confirmed suspicions that Esteban Ocon was told to let Lewis Hamilton by during the Monaco GP.
The Frenchman, who is a junior driver at the German manufacturer and races with Force India who are an engine customer, was running sixth in the race when the world champion was the first of the leaders to pit on Lap 12.
That would drop him behind Ocon on the track, however, it wouldn’t be for long as Hamilton made his way back ahead at the Nouvelle Chicane, prompting claims that the 21-year-old had been told to let the Mercedes past.
“I’m a Mercedes driver, you should ask the boss,” he told Sky Italia after the race.
He did try an offer another explanation for the ease of which he let Lewis by.
“It was pointless to fight with him, especially as he had new tyres,” he added.
A reporter for Belgian publication Le Derniere Heure took up Ocon’s advice to ask Wolff though and his answer was very clear.
“Yes, because that’s the way it is,” said the Austrian.
As it is, Hamilton wouldn’t be able to challenge the top two, Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel, eventually settling for third, while Ocon too unaffected maintaining P6 to the finish and benefiting from using the Supersoft tyre as opposed to the Ultras.
“A fantastic result today. I’m really happy and it was great fun,” said the Force India driver. “The pace we had was impressive and the team did a fantastic job with the strategy.
“We had a great understanding of the tyres and there were times during the race when we were the fastest car on track.
“In the final few laps I was catching Bottas and Raikkonen by over a second per lap and I was right behind them at the end.”