Sergio Perez hits back at Ocon's 'tried to kill me' claim at Spa

Sergio Perez has hit back at Force India Formula 1 team-mate Esteban Ocon's claim that he "tried to kill" the Frenchman in the Belgian Grand Prix

The Force India drivers came together twice on Sunday at Spa, both times between La Source and Eau Rouge - once on the opening lap and then again later in the race when their collision resulted in Perez suffering a puncture and Ocon damaging his front wing.

Speaking straight after the race, Ocon had told reporters Perez "risked my life in there, at 300km/h [186mph] down to Eau Rouge" and then took to Twitter to post: "...we were having a good race until Perez tried to kill me 2 times!"

Perez then posted a video on Twitter, firstly to repeat he was at fault for their opening-lap collision but also to make a rebuttal of Ocon's claim.

"I'm very disappointed to see his comments regarding that I wanted to kill him or whatsoever," said Perez.

"I'm not that type of guy, I'm not going to make a stupid comment.

"I just want to tell you the truth, and move on. I think we are all professional, I could have said many things in the past but that is not the type of guy that I am.

"I want to move on, and I will give the best driving ever in the next eight races for my team because they deserve that."

Perez added that he felt the second incident was needless, and that Ocon should have known contact was inevitable in that part of the track exiting the first corner.

"With the second incident I just kept my line. There was no room for two cars," he said.

"There was a wall and there was my car. We were always going to make contact.

"There was no need to do that, because he could have waited until after Eau Rouge and he could have made the move easily."

With its drivers having already collided on more than one occasion before this weekend, Force India says it will no longer let Perez and Ocon race each other when they are together on track.

shares
comments

Kimi Raikkonen slams 'pointless' Belgian GP yellow flag penalty

Honda found no problem with Fernando Alonso's Belgian GP engine

The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing

The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Jonathan Noble

The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing

How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14

How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14 How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14

Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate

Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Alex Kalinuackas

Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate

Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory

Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Matt Kew

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Subscribe