Force India drivers remain 'free to race', says Perez

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Force India will allow its drivers to go head-to-head in Baku next weekend in the event they find themselves locked in a close battle.

Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon fought hard in Canada but the Mexican's refusal to let his faster team mate take a shot at third placed-man Daniel Ricciardo perhaps denied the team a podium finish.

Force India later suggested that it had probably been a mistake not to enforce a stringent team order on Perez. But the Mexican has revealed that should the exact same situation come in to play, the team will once again refrain from any orders.

"The policy of the team is that if we are in the same situation they will do exactly the same thing – so they will let us race again, no team orders," Perez told the media in Baku.

"They felt there was no need to do team orders. Thirteen laps of difference on tyres in Montreal is not a lot, as it is a very low degradation on that circuit.

"The team has all the information, so what they say is that if we are in the same situation again on a similar circuit they will do the same, and they feel they did the right thing."

We should have swapped Perez and Ocon,' admits Szafnauer

On the subject of his relationship with Esteban Ocon, who criticised Perez's defensive driving in the closing stages of the race, 'Checo' insisted that all is well between the two men.

"We did have a word and actually in the week we had a phone call and everything is quite alright between us," said Perez.

"We basically discussed that after the race, we have adrenaline, 2000% on us, so we probably say things that once everything was done, we can say we shouldn’t have said that.

"So we just had a friendly chat and everything is alright.

"The atmosphere in the team is great. We are just looking forward to closing the gap to Red Bull.

"I think we are in a great position, really close to the Red Bull ahead, and it is great to have that challenge."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.